John Gibbs Gilbert (February 27, 1810 – June 17, 1889) was an American stage actor.

Biography

John Gibbs Gilbert was born in

Boston Boston is the capital and most populous city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. The city serves as the cultural and Financial centre, financial center of New England, a region of the Northeas ...

on February 27, 1810, the son of John Neal and Elizabeth Gilbert (née Atkins). He made his first appearance there at the Tremont Theatre, in 1828, as Jaffier in Otway's ''

Venice Preserved ''Venice Preserv'd'' is an English Restoration play written by Thomas Otway, and the most significant tragedy of the English stage in the 1680s. It was first staged in 1682, with Thomas Betterton as Jaffeir and Elizabeth Barry as Belvidera. The ...

''. His original aim was to be a

tragedian A tragedy is a genre of drama based on human suffering and, mainly, the terrible or sorrowful events that befall a main character or cast of characters. Traditionally, the intention of tragedy is to invoke an accompanying catharsis, or a "pain ...

, but while on a tour through the South and West, the success of his Sir Anthony Absolute, Master Walter, etc., convinced him that his true bent was for "old men" parts, and he soon became the leading American actor in that line of

comedy Comedy is a genre of dramatic works intended to be humorous or amusing by inducing laughter, especially in theatre, film, stand-up comedy, television, radio, books, or any other entertainment medium. Origins Comedy originated in ancient Greec ...

. In 1834, he again came forward at the Tremont Theatre, Acting Mr. Dornton in ''The Road to Ruin''. The occasion was that of a

benefit Benefit(s) may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Benefit'' (album), by Jethro Tull, 1970 * "Benefits" (''How I Met Your Mother''), a 2009 TV episode * "Benefits", a 2018 song by Zior Park * ''The Benefit'', a 2012 Egyptian action film Busin ...

to George Barrett — a favorite comedian of that epoch. The Tremont was managed then by Thomas Barry, who died on February 11, 1876, full of years and honors. Gilbert remained at the Tremont Theatre five years. The versatility of his talents and the variety of his efforts at that time are denoted by the list of parts which he acted during the first season with Barry. This includes Master Walter, Isaac of York, Sir Peter Teazle, Pizarro, Iago, Sir Edward Mortimer, Admiral Kingston, Lieutenant Worthington, Sir Robert Bramble, Polonius, Uncle John, Tom Noddy, Macduff, Mr. Dornton, Squeers, King Henry the Sixth, Adam, Malec, Kent and Rolanio. In 1847 he had a successful engagement in London. From 1862 until the close of

Wallack's Theatre Three New York City playhouses named Wallack's Theatre played an important part in the history of American theater as the successive homes of the stock company managed by actors James W. Wallack and his son, Lester Wallack. During its 35-year ...

, New York, he was connected with that house. In December 1872, he appeared there with actress

Effie Germon Mary Euphemia "Effie" Germon (June 13, 1845 – March 6, 1914) was an American stage actress of the late 19th century from Augusta, Georgia, a descendant of the Germons of Baltimore who were an old theatrical family. She excelled as a soubrette. ...

in a production of ''Brother Sam''. His most famous role was that of Sir Peter Teazle in ''

The School for Scandal ''The School for Scandal'' is a comedy of manners written by Richard Brinsley Sheridan. It was first performed in London at Drury Lane Theatre on 8 May 1777. Plot Act I Scene I: Lady Sneerwell, a wealthy young widow, and her hireling S ...

''; his Sir Anthony, Old Dornton in '' The Road to Ruin'' and Lord Ogleby in ''

The Clandestine Marriage ''The Clandestine Marriage'' is a comedy by George Colman the Elder and David Garrick, first performed in 1766 at Drury Lane. It is both a comedy of manners and a comedy of errors. The idea came from a series of pictures by William Hogarth entit ...

'' were also noted. John Gibbs Gilbert 001

He died in Boston on June 17, 1889.

Publications

Winter Winter is the coldest and darkest season of the year in temperate and polar climates. It occurs after autumn and before spring. The tilt of Earth's axis causes seasons; winter occurs when a hemisphere is oriented away from the Sun. Dif ...

, ''A Sketch of the Life of John Gilbert'', ''Dunlap Society Publications'' (New York, 1890) * McKay and Wingate, ''Famous American Actors of To-Day'' (New York, 1896) * Carroll, ''Twelve Americans: Their Lives and Times'' (New York, 1893)

Sources

Genealogy.com

References

, ''

The Wallet of Time ''The'' is a grammatical article in English, denoting nouns that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The ...

'' (New York, 1913) *

External links

* * Boston Public Library
Gilbert, John Gibbs (1810-1889) Collection
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gilbert, John Gibbs American male stage actors American male comedians Male actors from Boston 1810 births 1889 deaths 19th-century American male actors Comedians from Boston