Lester Wallack | |
|---|---|
.jpg) J. Lester Wallack | |
| Shepherd ofThe Lambs | |
| In office 1878-82 – 1884-88 | |
| Preceded by | Henry James Montague |
| Succeeded by | Harry Beckett |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Johnstone Wallack (1820-01-01)January 1, 1820 |
| Died | September 6, 1888(1888-09-06) (aged 68) |
| Resting place | Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY |
| Spouse | Emily Mary Millais |
| Occupation | Actor * Manager |
| Known for | Co-FounderThe Actors Fund |
| Signature |  |
John Johnstone Wallack (January 1, 1820, New York City – September 6, 1888,Stamford, Connecticut), was an Americanactor-manager and son ofJames William Wallack andSusan Johnstone.[1] He used the stage nameJohn Lester until October 5, 1858, when he first acted under the nameLester Wallack, which he retained the rest of his career.[2]
He was born in New York and relocated at an early age to his parents' home in London where he was reared and educated.[3] His mother was actressSusan Johnstone and his father wasJames William Wallack, a theatre producer.[4]
He chose a military career but became discouraged and went toDublin where he began performed on stage. He remained for two seasons and then went toEdinburgh. Then in 1846, he appeared in London at theHaymarket Theatre underBenjamin Webster's management. There he was seen by George H. Barrett, who had come to London to engage actors for theBroadway Theatre, in New York.[1]
He made his American debut there in 1847, under the name of John Lester, appearing as Sir Charles Coldstream inBoucicault's adaptation ofUsed Up.[3] His father's brother, Henry Wallack, the father of James William Wallack Jr. (1818–1873),[5] was also in the Broadway Theatre's company. His second appearance was as Viscount de Ligny inCaptain of the Guard byJames Planché.[3][1]
Subsequently, he performed at theBowery Theatre,Burton's Theatre,Niblo's Garden and the firstWallack's Theatre. His first appearance at the Bowery Theatre was in 1849 asDon Caesar de Bazan byAdolphe d'Ennery andPhilippe Dumanoir.[1]
He managed the second Wallack's Theatre from 1861 (demolished in 1901), and in 1882 he opened the third at 30th Street andBroadway (demolished in 1915).[3] Among the productions staged at the latter wasMargaret Mather's ill-fated production ofCymbeline in 1897. Another Wallack's Theatre, at 254 West 42nd Street in New York, was named for him in 1924.
Wallack joinedThe Lambs in 1875, which frequently met at Wallack's Theater. He served as its Shepherd (president): 1878-82, 1884-88,[6] and was one of the founders of theActors' Fund of America.
His greatest successes were asCharles Surface, asBenedick, and especially as Elliot Grey in his own playRosedale, and similar light comedy and romantic parts, for which his fascinating manners and handsome person well fitted him. He married a sister (d. 1909) ofSir John Millais. He wrote his ownMemories of Fifty Years.[3]
Benefit of Mr. Lester
John Lester Wallack, Stage Manager
Stage Manager, Mr. Lester Wallack. The company will consist of…Mr. Lester Wallack.…
Attribution:
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Wallack, James William".Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 28 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 279.
Gilman, D. C.; Peck, H. T.; Colby, F. M., eds. (1905)."Wallack, John Lester".New International Encyclopedia. Vol. 20 (1st ed.). New York: Dodd, Mead.
