Ben Webster (actor)
Ben Webster | |
---|---|
Hollywood, California , U.S. | |
Occupation(s) | Actor, barrister |
Years active | 1887–1947 |
Spouse | |
Children | 2, including Margaret |
Benjamin Webster (2 June 1864 – 26 February 1947) was an English actor, the husband of the actress
Life and career
Stage career
Webster was born on 2 June 1864 in London.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/30/Ben_Webster_%281864%E2%80%931947%29_as_Simon_Dale_and_Marie_Tempest_%281864%E2%80%931942%29_as_Nell_in_English_Nell.png/200px-Ben_Webster_%281864%E2%80%931947%29_as_Simon_Dale_and_Marie_Tempest_%281864%E2%80%931942%29_as_Nell_in_English_Nell.png)
In the early 1890s he appeared in George Alexander's company, first at the Avenue Theatre and then at the St James's. Among many others he created roles in Lady Windermere's Fan, Liberty Hall and The Second Mrs Tanqueray.[2] In 1892 he married the actress May Whitty in St Giles's-in-the-Fields Church, London. They had two children: a son who died in infancy and a daughter, Margaret, who became a stage director.[1] Webster rejoined Irving for a tour of America in 1895–96, and remained with him at the Lyceum until 1898, playing Guiderius in Cymbeline, Hastings in Richard III, Comte de Neipperg in Madame Sans-Gêne among other parts. In 1898 he toured with Ellen Terry, playing Cassio in Othello, and Beauseant in The Lady of Lyons.[2]
In the first decade of the 20th century his roles ranged from modern comedies and serious dramas, ranging from George D'Alroy in
Between 1910 and 1920 his roles ranged from Torvald Helmer in
In the 1930s he was more frequently seen in classics and other costume dramas, in roles including Richard de Beauchamp in Saint Joan, the Duke of Venice in Othello, the Duke of Venice in The Merchant of Venice, the Duke of Lancaster in Richard of Bordeaux and Egeus in A Midsummer Night's Dream.[2]
Films
Webster acted in films for 30 years from 1913 to 1943. In the late 1930s he and Whitty emigrated to California, where they remained based until their deaths.
Webster died in
References and sources
References
- ^ a b c d e Casson, Lewis. "Webster, Benjamin (1864–1947), actor", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004. Retrieved 21 April 2021 (subscription or UK public library membership required)
- ^ a b c d e f Parker, pp. 1523–1525
Sources
- Parker, John, ed. (1939). Who's Who in the Theatre (ninth ed.). London: Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons. OCLC 473894893.
External links
- Ben Webster at IMDb
- autographed portrait(archived)
- Ben and May; 1942(archived)
- Ben Webster and May Whitty; 1944(archived)