John Drew Jr. (November 13, 1853 – July 9, 1927), commonly known as John Drew during his life, was an American stage actor noted for his roles in Shakespearean comedy, society drama, and light comedies. He was the eldest son of John Drew Sr., who had given up a blossoming career in whaling for acting,[1] and Louisa Lane Drew, and the brother of Louisa Drew, Georgiana Drew, and Sidney Drew. As such, he was also the uncle of John, Ethel, and Lionel Barrymore, and also great-great-uncle to Drew Barrymore. He was considered to be the leading matinee idol of his day, but unlike most matinee idols Drew's acting ability was largely undisputed.
Drew was educated at a fine academy in Philadelphia, but the life of the theater would become his primary focus at a young age.[1] His first role as a boy was "Plumper" in Cool as a Cucumber at the family's Arch Street Theater.[2]
Drew as Petruchio
Drew had a long association with Charles Frohman and leading lady Maude Adams. In these years under Frohman, John Drew's stardom was established.[3] His first play with Frohman was The Masked Ball, a comedy adapted from a French play. This show was primarily a vehicle to establish Drew's stardom under Frohman, and it succeeded in that.[3]
Drew was associated originally with the company of Augustin Daly in the 1880s, a man known for managing and training with grim efficiency.[3] Under Daly's management, John Drew developed his reputation for versatility, appearing in many varieties of play, but especially in contemporary works that are rarely performed or remembered today.[2] His frequent leading lady with Daly was Ada Rehan. His memoirs, titled My Years on the Stage, were published in 1922. His final Broadway play was The Circle co-starring fellow veteran star Mrs. Leslie Carter and proved to be a popular comeback for the two Victorian actors. The Circle was made into a silent film in 1925 by MGM directed by Frank Borzage.
Highly esteemed by his fellow actors, John Drew was elected lifetime president of New York City’s theatrical club The Players. The appellation "Jr.", distinguishing him from his long-deceased actor father, is usually dropped. He died in San Francisco on July 9, 1927, shortly after being visited by his nephews John and Lionel Barrymore, both of whom had taken time off from movie-making on the West Coast. After cremation, his remains were taken to Philadelphia and interred at Mount Vernon Cemetery alongside his wife.[4]
Drew and his wife Josephine (nee Baker)[5] had one daughter, Louise Drew (1882–1954). Louise married Broadway actor Jack Devereaux[6] and they had a son, John Drew Devereaux.
^ abMoses, Montrose (1906). Famous Actor-Families in America. T. Y. Cromwell and Company.
^ abAdams, William Davenport (1904). A Dictionary of the Drama: a Guide to the Play, Playwrights, and Playhouses of the United Kingdom and America from the Earliest Times to the Present. Chatto and Windus.
^ abcDithmar, Augustus Edward (1900). John Drew. F.A. Stokes Company.
^Wilson, Scott (August 19, 2016). Resting Places: The Burial Site of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc. p. 208. ISBN978-0-7864-7992-4. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
^portrait 1870s of Josephine Baker Retrieved October 5, 2016
^Vane, Timothy (January 1920). "How to Go on the Stage". Everybody's Magazine. 42 (1): 23.
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Britannica Student Encyclopedia entry on John Drew (Jr.)
john, drew, november, 1853, july, 1927, commonly, known, john, drew, during, life, american, stage, actor, noted, roles, shakespearean, comedy, society, drama, light, comedies, eldest, john, drew, given, blossoming, career, whaling, acting, louisa, lane, drew,. John Drew Jr November 13 1853 July 9 1927 commonly known as John Drew during his life was an American stage actor noted for his roles in Shakespearean comedy society drama and light comedies He was the eldest son of John Drew Sr who had given up a blossoming career in whaling for acting 1 and Louisa Lane Drew and the brother of Louisa Drew Georgiana Drew and Sidney Drew As such he was also the uncle of John Ethel and Lionel Barrymore and also great great uncle to Drew Barrymore He was considered to be the leading matinee idol of his day but unlike most matinee idols Drew s acting ability was largely undisputed John Drew Jr Born 1853 11 13 November 13 1853Philadelphia Pennsylvania U S DiedJuly 9 1927 1927 07 09 aged 73 San Francisco California U S SpouseJosephine BakerChildrenLouise DrewParent s John DrewLouisa Lane DrewRelativesGeorgie Drew Barrymore sister Signature Contents 1 Life 2 See also 3 References 4 External linksLife editDrew was educated at a fine academy in Philadelphia but the life of the theater would become his primary focus at a young age 1 His first role as a boy was Plumper in Cool as a Cucumber at the family s Arch Street Theater 2 nbsp Drew as Petruchio Drew had a long association with Charles Frohman and leading lady Maude Adams In these years under Frohman John Drew s stardom was established 3 His first play with Frohman was The Masked Ball a comedy adapted from a French play This show was primarily a vehicle to establish Drew s stardom under Frohman and it succeeded in that 3 Drew was associated originally with the company of Augustin Daly in the 1880s a man known for managing and training with grim efficiency 3 Under Daly s management John Drew developed his reputation for versatility appearing in many varieties of play but especially in contemporary works that are rarely performed or remembered today 2 His frequent leading lady with Daly was Ada Rehan His memoirs titled My Years on the Stage were published in 1922 His final Broadway play was The Circle co starring fellow veteran star Mrs Leslie Carter and proved to be a popular comeback for the two Victorian actors The Circle was made into a silent film in 1925 by MGM directed by Frank Borzage Highly esteemed by his fellow actors John Drew was elected lifetime president of New York City s theatrical club The Players The appellation Jr distinguishing him from his long deceased actor father is usually dropped He died in San Francisco on July 9 1927 shortly after being visited by his nephews John and Lionel Barrymore both of whom had taken time off from movie making on the West Coast After cremation his remains were taken to Philadelphia and interred at Mount Vernon Cemetery alongside his wife 4 Drew and his wife Josephine nee Baker 5 had one daughter Louise Drew 1882 1954 Louise married Broadway actor Jack Devereaux 6 and they had a son John Drew Devereaux See also editBarrymore familyReferences edit a b Moses Montrose 1906 Famous Actor Families in America T Y Cromwell and Company a b Adams William Davenport 1904 A Dictionary of the Drama a Guide to the Play Playwrights and Playhouses of the United Kingdom and America from the Earliest Times to the Present Chatto and Windus a b c Dithmar Augustus Edward 1900 John Drew F A Stokes Company Wilson Scott August 19 2016 Resting Places The Burial Site of More Than 14 000 Famous Persons Jefferson North Carolina McFarland amp Company Inc p 208 ISBN 978 0 7864 7992 4 Retrieved September 21 2019 portrait 1870s of Josephine Baker Retrieved October 5 2016 Vane Timothy January 1920 How to Go on the Stage Everybody s Magazine 42 1 23 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to John Drew Jr Britannica Student Encyclopedia entry on John Drew Jr John Drew photo gallery at NYP Library John Drew Jr at the Internet Broadway Database John Drew Jr North American Theatre Online John Drew Jr at Find a Grave Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title John Drew Jr amp oldid 1164689867, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
