(November 13, 1853 - July 9, 1927)
A popular turn-of-the-century American actor, John Drew, Jr. was noted for his roles in Shakespearean comedy (including Taming of the Shrew) and light comedies (such as School for Scandal). As the son of John and Louisa Lane Drew, he was the uncle of three other Valentine Theatre performers: John, Ethel, and Lionel Barrymore. Drew starred in over thirty Broadway productions, beginning in 1875 under the direction of Augustin Daly. He continued to work in Daly's company for several years and, with Daly, was part of the first American company to perform Shakespeare in Europe. The Times said that until this Daly production, it seemed that this comedy was "fated to rank as the most despised of the poet's productions," and that hitherto the play had "received scant justice from the professional interpreters - so at least it would appear - in view of this splendid revival of the comedy, which, sumptuously mounted and acted with admirable spirit and point, keeps the house throughout its five acts in a state of continuous merriment." 1 In March 1906, John Drew appeared at Toledo's Valentine Theatre in the title role of DeLancey by Augustus Thomas. Rodney Lee of the Toledo Blade wrote glowingly that "DeLancey is John Drew. Literally so. The great exponent of modern light comedy has not in years had a more congenial role. It gives the accomplished actor full opportunity for the display of all the numerous phases of his art. It is a positive pleasure to note the perfection of his work." 2
John Drew, Jr. is of particular importance in the way that he bridged the gap between nineteenth- and twentieth-century acting styles. Walter Pritchard that Drew sought for a matter-of-fact naturalness in stage deportment, even a sort of casual nonchalance, but combined with it, cleverly disguised, the most careful enunciation and the most artful "pointing" of any speech or situation. 3 Popular among his fellow actors as well as his fans, Drew was elected lifetime president of their social club, the New York City's Players' Club (which was founded by the famed nineteenth-century Shakespearean actor Edwin Booth). 4 Drew published his memoirs, titled My Years on the Stage, in 1922, and died in San Francisco in 1927 at the age of 74.
1. Drew, John. My Years on the Stage. New York: E.P. Dutton & Company, 1922.
2. Lee, Rodney. Toledo Blade, 1906.
3. Drew, John. My Years on the Stage. New York: E.P. Dutton & Company, 1922.
4. Drew, John. My Years on the Stage. New York: E.P. Dutton & Company, 1922.
Resources
Drew, John. My Years on the Stage. New York: E.P. Dutton & Company, 1922.
A fabulous history of Drew's life on stage. He gives great details about many of his favorite productions in New York and England.
Lee, Rodney. Toledo Blade, 1906.
Who's Who in the Theatre. London: Gale Research, 1912-1966.
A great source of information on when and where actors performed some of their most famous roles in theatres and film in America and England.
Young, William. Famous Actors and Actresses on the American Stage. New York: R.R. Bowker Company, 1975.
Good information about some of the more well-known character actors of early American stage and screen.