Mary Jeffreys Lewis (abt. 1852–1926) known professionally as Jeffreys Lewis was a British-born American actress whose career lasted long after her popularity as a leading lady had faded.
Mary Jeffreys Lewis was born in London, England, on 25 October to Irish parents of Welsh descent.[1][2][3] Some sources give her birth year as 1855 or later, though if correct, early US census indicate she was most likely born around 1852.[1] Lewis attended elocution classes at the Birkbeck Institute[4] (now Birkbeck, University of London) and made her first stage appearance at the Theatre Royal in Edinburgh, Scotland.[3] She was brought to America in 1873, probably with her mother, May, and sisters, Catherine and Constance, with veteran British actor Thomas C. King to perform on the New York stage.[2] Her Broadway debut came on the 11 September 1873, at the New Lyceum Theatre on 14th Street and 6th Ave., playing Esmeralda opposite King's Quasimodo in Notre Dame, a failed dramatic adaption of Victor Hugo's The Hunchback of Notre-Dame.[2][5]
Jeffreys Lewis’ career began to wane in the late 1880s as she continued to play roles that audiences deemed inappropriate for someone approaching middle age. Eventually, though, she adjusted and became a character actress playing supporting roles, a move that extended her career well into her later years.[2]
MarriageEdit
Jeffreys Lewis married actor John Adolf Maitland (aka A. J. Maitland) in San Francisco on 14 August 1878.[13] This marriage ended in divorce nine years later amid charges of infidelity and cruelty. On 13 March 1887 she married actor Harry Mainhall in Oakland, California.[14][15] Their son, Harry Mainhall Jr., who inherited his mother's cleft chin, would go on to be a Hollywood actor and writer active in the early years of the silent era.[16] Harry Mainhall Sr. died in Los Angeles on 7 November 1902 after battling tuberculosis.[16][17]
DeathEdit
Mary Jeffreys Lewis died on 28 April 1926 in New York City. Her last appearance on stage was in October of the previous year playing Mrs. Schenck in Crane Wilbur's play Easy Terms at New York's National Theater. She was survived by her son, who would follow her in death five years later.[3][16] Jeffreys Lewis was interred at the Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, New York.[citation needed]
portrait gallery(NY Public Library/ Billy Rose Collection)
Jeffreys Lewis: North American Theatre Online
August 29, 2023
jeffreys, lewis, mary, 1852, 1926, known, professionally, british, born, american, actress, whose, career, lasted, long, after, popularity, leading, lady, faded, mary, born, 1852, october, 1852london, england, died26, april, 1926, 1926, aged, york, city, other. Mary Jeffreys Lewis abt 1852 1926 known professionally as Jeffreys Lewis was a British born American actress whose career lasted long after her popularity as a leading lady had faded Mary Jeffreys LewisBorn 1852 10 25 25 October 1852London England U K Died26 April 1926 1926 04 26 aged 72 New York City U S A Other namesJeffreys LewisOccupationStage actressYears active1873 1926SpousesA J Maitland Harry MainhallChildrenHarry Mainhall Jr Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 3 Marriage 4 Death 5 Sources 6 External linksEarly life EditMary Jeffreys Lewis was born in London England on 25 October to Irish parents of Welsh descent 1 2 3 Some sources give her birth year as 1855 or later though if correct early US census indicate she was most likely born around 1852 1 Lewis attended elocution classes at the Birkbeck Institute 4 now Birkbeck University of London and made her first stage appearance at the Theatre Royal in Edinburgh Scotland 3 She was brought to America in 1873 probably with her mother May and sisters Catherine and Constance with veteran British actor Thomas C King to perform on the New York stage 2 Her Broadway debut came on the 11 September 1873 at the New Lyceum Theatre on 14th Street and 6th Ave playing Esmeralda opposite King s Quasimodo in Notre Dame a failed dramatic adaption of Victor Hugo s The Hunchback of Notre Dame 2 5 Reno Evening Gazette 1888 Career EditLewis work in Notre Dame caught the eye of John Lester Wallack and before year s end she was playing Miss Grantham in Samuel Foote s comedy The Liar at Wallack s Theatre on Broom Street and Broadway 2 6 Lewis stayed with Wallack for a season appearing in The Rivals by Richard Brinsley Sheridan Central Park by John Lester Wallack The Veteran The School by T W Robertson The Shaughraun by Dion Boucicault and Rafael an adaptation of the French play Les Filles de Marbres by Theodore Barriere 2 7 8 Harry Mainhall Jr pointing son of Mary Jeffreys Lewis Co starring with Lolita Robertson in patterned dress and Oliver Hardy on train steps in a 1915 silent comedy The New Adventures of J Rufus Wallingford The following few seasons were spent with Augustin Daly s company and as a stock player at the Broadway Theatre on Broadway and 30th Street before touring the West with Daly s company and finding success in California In the mid 1880s she embarked on a tour of Australia and possibly New Zealand for a seasons or two Upon her return she gained popularity appearing in big cities and small as Beatrice in La Belle Russe an adaptation of a story by May Agnes Fleming 9 Martha Moulton in Forget Me Not by Herman Merivale 10 the Countess Clothilde in Clothilde an adaption of a play by Victorien Sardou 11 the Countess Zieka in Diplomacy by Victorien Sardou and as Muriel in The Sporting Duchess by Sir Augustus Harris Cecil Raleigh and Henry Hamilton 2 12 Jeffreys Lewis career began to wane in the late 1880s as she continued to play roles that audiences deemed inappropriate for someone approaching middle age Eventually though she adjusted and became a character actress playing supporting roles a move that extended her career well into her later years 2 Marriage EditJeffreys Lewis married actor John Adolf Maitland aka A J Maitland in San Francisco on 14 August 1878 13 This marriage ended in divorce nine years later amid charges of infidelity and cruelty On 13 March 1887 she married actor Harry Mainhall in Oakland California 14 15 Their son Harry Mainhall Jr who inherited his mother s cleft chin would go on to be a Hollywood actor and writer active in the early years of the silent era 16 Harry Mainhall Sr died in Los Angeles on 7 November 1902 after battling tuberculosis 16 17 Death EditMary Jeffreys Lewis died on 28 April 1926 in New York City Her last appearance on stage was in October of the previous year playing Mrs Schenck in Crane Wilbur s play Easy Terms at New York s National Theater She was survived by her son who would follow her in death five years later 3 16 Jeffreys Lewis was interred at the Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla New York citation needed Sources Edit a b 1880 US Census Records a b c d e f g The actors birthday book an authoritative insight into the lives of the By Johnson Briscoe 1907 a b c The New York Times April 29 1926 The New York Times March 4 1897 Appletons journal Issues 224 249 July 5 to December 27 1873 The New York Times November 22 1873 IBD com The New York Times 1873 1874 The New York Times Genevieve Ward a biographical sketch from original material derived from by Zadel Barnes Gustafson 1882 Bangor Daily Whig And Courier 16 March 1893 Gustafson 1882 Six years of drama at the Castle Square theatre with portraits of the By Charles Elwell French 1903 Daily Constitution Saturday August 17 1878 Morning Oregonian March 20 1887 Our Australian Dramatic Letter Observer Volume 8 Issue 441 4 June 1887 a b c Silent film necrology births and deaths of over 9000 performers Eugene Michael Vazzana 1995 Boston Daily Globe Sunday November 9 1902External links EditJeffreys Lewis at IMDb Jeffreys Lewis at the Internet Broadway Database portrait gallery NY Public Library Billy Rose Collection Jeffreys Lewis North American Theatre Online Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Jeffreys Lewis amp oldid 1159413071, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
