Ida Kramer ( - October 14, 1930} was an American actress. When she died, she held the world record for consecutive performances in one play.

Early years

Born in Russia, Kramer came to the United States when she was 13. In her mid-teens, she joined a Jewish dramatic club.

Career

Most of Kramer's early acting career was spent with Jewish theatrical companies, speaking Yiddish, particularly working with David Kessler and

Jacob Adler Jacob Pavlovich Adler (Yiddish: יעקבֿ פּאַװלאָװיטש אַדלער; born Yankev P. Adler; February 12, 1855 – April 1, 1926)IMDB biography was a Jewish actor and star of Yiddish theater, first in Odessa, and later in London and ...

. She also worked in vaudeville, touring the United States and performing in ''The Shattered Idol'', a sketch about the life of a Jewish family. After she married, Kramer quit acting, but her husband's illness led to her return. They moved to Colorado for his health, and she resumed acting to help support the family. Eventually, the family returned to New York, where she mixed performing with raising a baby and a toddler and doing household chores. Kramer debuted on Broadway as a member of the chorus in ''La Belle Paree / Bow-Sing / Tortajada'' (1911). She also appeared in ''The Man with Three Wives'' (1913) and ''The Passing Show of 1914''. In 1922, Kramer began portraying Abie Cohen's mother in ''

Abie's Irish Rose ''Abie's Irish Rose'' is a popular comedy by Anne Nichols, which premiered in 1922. Initially a Broadway play, it has become familiar through repeated stage productions, films and radio programs. The basic premise involves an Irish Catholic girl ...

'' at the Republic Theatre in New York. She continued in that role until the play closed in October 1927. During that span, she appeared in 2,327 consecutive performances, which established a world record. She also performed in the role for a few months in a touring production of the play and in the 1928 film adaptation of the play. Kramer identified with her role, saying: "Mrs. Cohen is me. She is all Jewish women. I am so tired many times, but when I get in my dressing room and make-up, I feel great. She is like a tonic to me." Kramer belonged to

Actors' Equity The Actors' Equity Association (AEA), commonly referred to as Actors' Equity or simply Equity, is an American labor union representing those who work in live theatrical performance. Performers appearing in live stage productions without a book ...

, the

Hebrew Actors' Union The Hebrew Actors' Union (HAU) was a craft union for actors in Yiddish theater in the United States (primarily in New York City), and was the first actors' union in the United States. The union was affiliated with the Associated Actors and Artiste ...

, and the Jewish Theatrical Guild.

Personal life

Kramer was married to Joseph Schneider, and they had two sons. In her later years, she visited orphanages, hospitals, and homes for the aged on Sundays, She also often visited a neighborhood populated by poor people, distributing food and toys.

Death

Kramer died of heart disease on October 14, 1930, at her home in Brooklyn, aged 52. Her death came soon after she had a meal with her family in celebration of the

Feast of Tabernacles or ("Booths, Tabernacles") , observedby = Jews, Samaritans, a few Protestant denominations, Messianic Judaism, Messianic Jews, Semitic Neopaganism, Semitic Neopagans , type = Jewish, Samaritan , begins = 15th day of Tishrei ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kramer, Ida 1870s births 1930 deaths 20th-century American actresses American film actresses American stage actresses Broadway theatre people