John Drew Sr.
John Drew (September 3, 1827 – May 21, 1862) was an Irish-American stage actor and theatre manager.[1]: 175
John Drew | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Jonathan Henry Drewland September 3, 1827 Dublin, Ireland |
| Died | May 21, 1862 (aged 34) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Resting place | Mount Vernon Cemetery |
| Spouse | |
| Children | Louisa Drew John Drew Jr. Georgiana Drew |
Early life
Born Jonathan Henry Drewland in Dublin, Ireland,[1]: 175 to Thomas L. Drewland and Louise Kanten, he was the fifth of six children. In 1832, he emigrated to the United States with his family to Boston, Massachusetts. As a child, he spent most of his life living in Boston. This is where he began acting. A younger brother, Frank Drew (1831–1903), also became an actor.[1]: 179
Career
After moving to the United States, Drew got a job in the theatrical company of Joseph J. Johlen (the theatre manager). He appeared in a number of Johlen's plays, including Uncle Mutch, The Barber Man, Canterbury of Livingston and The Progrist.
Drew made his first New York appearance in 1846. He played Irish and light comedy parts with success in many American cities, and was the manager of the Arch Street Theatre in Philadelphia.
Personal life
John married Louisa Lane in 1848 this being her third marriage and his first. They had three children, Louisa (1852–1888), John Jr. (1853–1927), and Georgiana (1856–1893), the latter two of whom were accomplished actors (Georgiana married Maurice Barrymore in 1876, begetting the Barrymore family; this makes John Drew a great-great-grandfather of actress Drew Barrymore).
Drew died at his home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at the early age of 34, after tripping, falling and fatally hitting his head during a party for daughter Georgiana. He was buried in Glenwood Cemetery[2] in Philadelphia, which was later closed, and his remains were moved to Mount Vernon Cemetery. After his death, his wife Louisa took over the management of the Arch Street Theatre.[3] The Arch Street survived until 1936 when it was demolished.
References
- Moses, Montrose Jonas (1968) [first published 1906]. Famous Actor-Families in America. New York: Benjamin Blom, Inc. LCCN 68-58994.
- Lindsay, Suzanne Glover. "The Drews and Barrymores: A Theatrical Dynasty at St. Stephen's!". www.ststephensphl.org. St. Stephens Episcopal Church. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
- Wilson, Scott (19 August 2016). Resting Places: The Burial Site of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc. p. 208. ISBN 978-0-7864-7992-4. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
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