Helene Wallace Stoepel (September 1, 1863 – March 18, 1937), known professionally as Bijou Heron, was an American stage actress, who became famous as a child actor in the 1870s.
Helene Wallace Stoepel was born in New York City[1] to the German composer and orchestra conductor Robert Stoepel[2][3] and the Irish-American actress Matilda Heron.[1] She was introduced to audiences at the age of six in a production of Medea at the Bowery Theater where her mother played the title role.
In 1873, she joined the Augustin Daly company at the Fifth Avenue Theatre and took on the stage name Bijou Heron.[1] Her first leading role was in Monsieur Alphonse, a dramatic adaptation of a novel by Alexandre Dumas. The following season she received critical acclaim for her portrayal of Oliver in Oliver Twist. The cast included actors Fanny Davenport, Charles Fisher, and James Lewis.[1] In 1876, she joined the A. M. Palmer Company at the Union Square Theatre. She played in Miss Multon with Clara Morris and portrayed Smike an adaptation of Nicholas Nickleby. She toured with this company, playing for three months in San Francisco. Upon returning to New York, she was asked to take the place of actress Sara Jewett in A Celebrated Case starring Charles Coghlan. She later appeared in The School for Scandal with Coghlan, John Parcelle, Harry Crisp and Ann Gilbert.[1]
Heron moved to England after the death of her mother in 1877. There she was seen in several productions at the Court Theatre in London with Maurice Barrymore and Arthur Cecil. She toured England with the actor and dramatist Dion Boucicault.[1] After returning to New York, she rejoined Daly's company. Heron played in Odette opposite the actor and producer Henry Miller, whom she married February 1, 1883, in New York.[2] The Millers performed and toured with C.W. Couldock in Hazel Kirke under the management of Daniel Frohman. They later joined the Clara Morris company.[1]
They had three children: theatrical producer Gilbert Heron Miller,[4][5] actor and director John Heron Miller (aka Henry Miller, Jr.)[6] and Agnes Heron Miller, actress and first wife of entertainer Tim McCoy.[7]
bijou, heron, helene, wallace, stoepel, september, 1863, march, 1937, known, professionally, american, stage, actress, became, famous, child, actor, 1870s, bornhelene, wallace, stoepel, 1863, september, 1863new, york, city, diedmarch, 1937, 1937, aged, york, c. Helene Wallace Stoepel September 1 1863 March 18 1937 known professionally as Bijou Heron was an American stage actress who became famous as a child actor in the 1870s Bijou HeronBornHelene Wallace Stoepel 1863 09 01 September 1 1863New York City U S DiedMarch 18 1937 1937 03 18 aged 73 New York City U S Other namesMrs Henry MillerOccupationStage actressSpouseHenry Miller m 1883 wbr Children3 including Gilbert MillerParent s Robert Stoepel father Matilda Heron mother Biography editHelene Wallace Stoepel was born in New York City 1 to the German composer and orchestra conductor Robert Stoepel 2 3 and the Irish American actress Matilda Heron 1 She was introduced to audiences at the age of six in a production of Medea at the Bowery Theater where her mother played the title role In 1873 she joined the Augustin Daly company at the Fifth Avenue Theatre and took on the stage name Bijou Heron 1 Her first leading role was in Monsieur Alphonse a dramatic adaptation of a novel by Alexandre Dumas The following season she received critical acclaim for her portrayal of Oliver in Oliver Twist The cast included actors Fanny Davenport Charles Fisher and James Lewis 1 In 1876 she joined the A M Palmer Company at the Union Square Theatre She played in Miss Multon with Clara Morris and portrayed Smike an adaptation of Nicholas Nickleby She toured with this company playing for three months in San Francisco Upon returning to New York she was asked to take the place of actress Sara Jewett in A Celebrated Case starring Charles Coghlan She later appeared in The School for Scandal with Coghlan John Parcelle Harry Crisp and Ann Gilbert 1 Heron moved to England after the death of her mother in 1877 There she was seen in several productions at the Court Theatre in London with Maurice Barrymore and Arthur Cecil She toured England with the actor and dramatist Dion Boucicault 1 After returning to New York she rejoined Daly s company Heron played in Odette opposite the actor and producer Henry Miller whom she married February 1 1883 in New York 2 The Millers performed and toured with C W Couldock in Hazel Kirke under the management of Daniel Frohman They later joined the Clara Morris company 1 They had three children theatrical producer Gilbert Heron Miller 4 5 actor and director John Heron Miller aka Henry Miller Jr 6 and Agnes Heron Miller actress and first wife of entertainer Tim McCoy 7 Heron died March 18 1937 at her home in New York City and was buried in Green Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn New York 5 References edit a b c d e f g Clapp John Bouve 1899 Players of the Present Vol 1 New York Dunlap Society pp 246 249 bijou heron a b February Weddings PDF The New York Times February 2 1883 Retrieved February 1 2013 An Old Musician Dead PDF The New York Times October 7 1887 Retrieved February 1 2013 Gilbert Miller 84 Producer is Dead The New York Times January 3 1969 a b Mrs Henry Miller The New York Times March 20 1937 Notes of the Stage The Washington Post December 31 1911 Kindred Except Son Share in 148 651 Henry Miller Left Chicago Daily Tribune October 21 1931 External links editBijou Heron at the Internet Broadway Database nbsp portrait of Bijou Heron childhood portrait Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Bijou Heron amp oldid 1145512444, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
