Helen Lowell born Helen Lowell Robb (1866–1937) was an American

stage Stage or stages may refer to: Acting * Stage (theatre), a space for the performance of theatrical productions * Theatre, a branch of the performing arts, often referred to as "the stage" * ''The Stage'', a weekly British theatre newspaper * Sta ...

and

film actress An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a performance. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. The analogous Greek term is (), lite ...

Life

Lowell was born in New York on June 2, 1866, to William and Mary Robb. In 1884 she debuted in the title role of

Iolanthe ''Iolanthe; or, The Peer and the Peri'' () is a comic opera with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W. S. Gilbert, first performed in 1882. It is one of the Savoy operas and is the seventh of fourteen operatic collaborations by Gilbert ...

at the Academy of Music in New York. At the age of 21 her mother died. She was known for playing the role of ''Mrs. Errol'' in

Little Lord Fauntleroy ''Little Lord Fauntleroy'' is a novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It was published as a serial in '' St. Nicholas Magazine'' from November 1885 to October 1886, then as a book by Scribner's (the publisher of ''St. Nicholas'') in 1886. The ill ...

. In 1895 she played Charlotte Corday. She appeared in J.M.Barrie's Quality Street creating the role of Susan Throssell in the first New York production with

Maude Adams, who starred as Phoebe Throssell (ibdb.com). Maude may refer to: Places *Maude, New South Wales, a village on the lower Murrumbidgee River in Australia *Maude, South Australia, a locality in South Australia *Maude, Victoria, a town in Australia *Cape Maude, a high ice-covered cape forming ...

In October 1903 she appeared in the stage version Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch in Louisville, Kentucky. She was able to tour to Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii and across America for the next seven years playing Miss Hazy "in the Cabbage Patch". She had a successful career as a stage comedienne, appearing on Broadway in ''

The Torch-Bearers ''The Torch-Bearers'' is a 1922 stage play by George Kelly (playwright), George Kelly about a housewife who becomes an actress (the original actress became a widow and withdrew) while her husband is away on business, with Act I being the rehearsal ...

'' (1922), before she went to Hollywood in 1934 where she appeared in '' Side Streets'' which was a Warner Bros film. She became known as the first choice for playing middle aged women. On June 29, 1937, Lowell was found dead in her hotel room in Hollywood.

Theater

*Little Lord Fauntleroy *Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch as Miss Hazey *Cappy

Selected filmography

* '' Side Streets'' (1934) - as Tillie * ''

The Merry Frinks ''The Merry Frinks'' is a 1934 American comedy film directed by Alfred E. Green and starring Aline MacMahon, Guy Kibbee and Hugh Herbert. It is also known by the alternative title of ''Happy Family''. Synopsis A put-upon mother inherits a fortu ...

'' (1934) - as Grandma Frink * ''

Party Wire A party is a gathering of people who have been invited by a host for the purposes of socializing, conversation, recreation, or as part of a festival or other commemoration or celebration of a special occasion. A party will often feature ...

'' (1935) - as Nettie Putnam * '' The Goose and the Gander'' (1935) - as Aunt Julia * '' Strike Me Pink'' (1936) - as Hattie 'Ma' Carson * ''

I'd Give My Life ''I'd Give My Life'' is a 1936 American drama film directed by Edwin L. Marin and written by George O'Neil based upon the play '' The Noose''. The film stars Guy Standing, Frances Drake, Tom Brown, Janet Beecher, Robert Gleckler, and Helen Low ...

'' (1936) - as Mrs. Bancroft, Sr. * ''

Wild Brian Kent ''Wild Brian Kent'' is a 1936 American drama film directed by Howard Bretherton and starring Ralph Bellamy, Mae Clarke and Helen Lowell.Goble p.510 Cast * Ralph Bellamy as Brian Kent * Mae Clarke as Betty Prentice * Helen Lowell as Aunt Su ...

'' (1936) - Aunt Sue Prentice * ''

Four Days' Wonder ''Four Days' Wonder'' is a 1936 American comedy mystery film directed by Sidney Salkow and starring Jeanne Dante, Kenneth Howell and Martha Sleeper. Produced by Universal Pictures Universal Pictures (legally Universal City Studios LLC, ...

'' (1936) * ''

Snowed Under ''Snowed Under'' is a 1936 American romantic comedy film directed by Ray Enright and starring George Brent as a playwright who is working under a tight deadline. He becomes snowed-in in his remote cabin with two ex-wives and a girlfriend, play ...

'' (1936) - as Mrs. Canterbury * '' Michael O'Halloran'' (1937) - as Hettie

References

Bibliography

* Goble, Alan. ''The Complete Index to Literary Sources in Film''. Walter de Gruyter, 1999.

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Lowell, Helen 1866 births 1937 deaths American film actresses American stage actresses 20th-century American actresses