(Jan. 20, 1829 – Apr. 23, 1905)
Born in Philadelphia, Joseph Jefferson came from a family of performers. His father (1804-1842) and grandfather (1774-1832), both also named Joseph Jefferson, were professional actors, although his father was more well-known as a scene painter. Jefferson III is believed to be the earliest-born actor to work in films. In his later years, he became famous for portraying Rip Van Winkle on stage and film, and Rip Van Winkle gave Jefferson the comic role that allowed him to showcase his youthful energy even in his older years. He also wrote three different stage version of Rip Van Winkle. He passed away on April 23, 1905 in Palm Springs, Florida after a bout of pneumonia.
Jefferson portrayed Rip Van Winkle on the opening night of the Valentine Theatre’s first production. On Christmas Night, 1895, Jefferson’s production of Rip Van Winkle played to a full house. As the Valentine opened, Jefferson addressed the crowd, comparing the Valentine to some of the greatest opera houses and theatres worldwide that he had performed in. (Incidentally, Mr. Fred J. Reynolds bought the first box for $250, which was two-thirds of the annual salary for the building’s custodial crew. 1) When the curtain rose at 8:00, the audience witnessed a veteran of the American stage christening their theatre:
Yet who but Jefferson could make his art so successfully conceal the ravages of time, Jefferson is now an old man. For full fifty years he has been a bright and shining light on the American stage. Yet last night to that great audience he seemed as young, as full of life, as finished and polished an actor as though old Father Time had forgotten his very existence and allowed him to retain the vitality, the fire and magnetic enthusiasm of thirty years ago. Of his acting, how can one speak, save to iterate and reiterate that which has been acknowledged and admitted by every one for years-that his performance is simply flawless. It is an art so fine that it loses all semblance to art and becomes nature. To his audience Mr. Jefferson is Rip.2
1. Toledo Times 15 May 1932.
2. “The Opening of the Valentine Theatre.” Toledo Blade 26 Dec 1895.
Resources
“Internet Broadway Database: Joseph Jefferson III Credits on Broadway.” IBDB.com. http://www.ibdb.com/person.asp?ID=85490
“Joseph Jefferson.” IMDB.com. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0420198/
Messer-Kruse, Timothy. “The Valentine Theatre.” ToledosAttic.org. http://www.toledosattic.org/details.asp?did=63.
This website offers a very detailed history of the Valentine Theatre and provides many pictures from early programs.
“The Opening Night of the Valentine.” Toledo Blade 26 Dec 1895.
The article describes the entire atmosphere of the Valentine’s opening night, from the audience to the architecture to the production itself.
“Playing the Valentine.” Toledo Blade 3 Oct 1999.
This article provides a quick overview of the Valentine’s production history.