Wilton Lackaye (September 30, 1862 – August 22, 1932) was an American stage and film actor, who originated the role of
Svengali
Svengali () is a character in the novel ''Trilby'' which was first published in 1894 by George du Maurier. Svengali is a man who seduces, dominates and exploits Trilby, a young half-Irish girl, and makes her into a famous singer.
Definition
...
(from the 1895 novel ''
Trilby
A trilby is a narrow-brimmed type of hat. The trilby was once viewed as the rich man's favored hat; it is sometimes called the "brown trilby" in Britain Roetzel, Bernhard (1999). ''Gentleman's Guide to Grooming and Style''. Barnes & Noble. and ...
'') in both stage and film.
Early life
William Andrew Lackey was born in
Loudoun County, Virginia
Loudoun County () is in the northern part of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. In 2020, the census returned a population of 420,959, making it Virginia's third-most populous county. Loudoun County's seat is Leesburg. Loudoun ...
the son of James Lackey and his wife Margaret Bagnam. He attended Georgetown University
and Ottawa College, initially planning to be a priest.
As an amateur, he acted with the Lawrence Barrett Club of Washington.
Career
Lackaye's professional acting debut occurred in 1883 when he portrayed Lucentio in ''
Francesca da Rimini'' at the Star Theatre in New York.
That summer he performed with a stock company in Dayton, after which he worked with the Carrie Swain Company.
He created the role of
Svengali
Svengali () is a character in the novel ''Trilby'' which was first published in 1894 by George du Maurier. Svengali is a man who seduces, dominates and exploits Trilby, a young half-Irish girl, and makes her into a famous singer.
Definition
...
in the play ''
Trilby
A trilby is a narrow-brimmed type of hat. The trilby was once viewed as the rich man's favored hat; it is sometimes called the "brown trilby" in Britain Roetzel, Bernhard (1999). ''Gentleman's Guide to Grooming and Style''. Barnes & Noble. and ...
'' in 1895 which he played on screen in 1915 opposite
Clara Kimball Young
Clara Kimball Young (born Edith Matilda Clara Kimball;
September 6, 1890 – October 15, 1960) was an American film actress who was popular in the early silent film era.
Early life
Edith Matilda Clara Kimball was born in Chicago on Septembe ...
.
His film debut came in ''The Pit'' (1914).
Lackaye toured in vaudeville during World War I, performing in the one-act plays ''Quits'' and ''The Bomb''.
Personal life
He married three times: first to actress
Annie Lewis, second to Alice Evans and lastly to Katherine Alberta Riley. He had a son Wilton Lackaye Jr. with Alice Evans.
He had two siblings in show business: James Lackaye Jr. and Helen Lackaye.
Death
Lackaye died of an acute heart attack at age 69 at his home in New York City.
["Wilton Lackaye, Noted Actor Dies", ''The New York Times''; August 22, 1932; pg. 15] His funeral was held in St. Malachy's Roman Catholic Church, and he was buried in Calvary Cemetery.
Filmography
*''The Pit'' (1914)
*''
Children of the Ghetto'' (1915)
*''
Trilby
A trilby is a narrow-brimmed type of hat. The trilby was once viewed as the rich man's favored hat; it is sometimes called the "brown trilby" in Britain Roetzel, Bernhard (1999). ''Gentleman's Guide to Grooming and Style''. Barnes & Noble. and ...
'' (1915)
*''The Man of Shame'' (1915)
*''
God's Crucible'' (1921)
*''
What's Wrong with the Women?'' (1922)
*''
The Lone Wolf The Lone Wolf may refer to:
* ''The Lone Wolf'', a 1914 novel by Louis Joseph Vance
Louis Joseph Vance (September 19, 1879 – December 16, 1933) was an American novelist, screenwriter and film producer. He created the popular character M ...
'' (1924)
*''
For Woman's Favor'' (1924)
*''
The Sky Raider'' (1925)
References
External links
*
''Wilton Lackaye''portraits New York City Public Library, Billy Rose collection
Gallery of Players vol.1-9; Wilton Lackaye
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lackaye, Wilton
1862 births
1932 deaths
19th-century American male actors
American male stage actors
American male film actors
American male silent film actors
Male actors from Virginia
20th-century American male actors
The Lambs presidents
Members of The Lambs Club
People from Loudoun County, Virginia