George Clarke (born George O'Neill; 28 June 1840 - 3 October 1906) was an American stage actor with a career spanning five decades from the mid-1850s to 1906 (the year of his death). He was best known for his

Shakespearean William Shakespeare ( 23 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...

roles and plays of the

Romantic era Romanticism (also known as the Romantic movement or Romantic era) was an artistic and intellectual movement that originated in Europe towards the end of the 18th century. The purpose of the movement was to advocate for the importance of subjec ...

. Clarke was closely associated with

Augustin Daly John Augustin Daly (July 20, 1838 – June 7, 1899) was one of the most influential men in American theatre during his lifetime. Drama critic, theatre manager, playwright, and adapter, he became the first recognized stage director in America. He ...

during two phases of his career. He joined Daly's company in 1869 when he established a reputation in leading roles, but left in 1874 after a disagreement between the two men. He joined with Daly again in 1887 and remained with the company, regularly performing in productions in New York and London, until Daly's death in 1899.

Biography

Early years

George O'Neill was born on 28 June 1840 in

Brooklyn Brooklyn is a Boroughs of New York City, borough of New York City located at the westernmost end of Long Island in the New York (state), State of New York. Formerly an independent city, the borough is coextensive with Kings County, one of twelv ...

, New York.Deaths
''Billboard'', 13 October 1906, page 15.John Bouvé Clapp & Edwin Francis Edgett (1971), ''Players of the Present'', New York: Benjamin Blom Inc., pages 58-62; originally published in three parts (1899 to 1901) as ''The Dunlap Society Publications'' (New Series, numbers 9, 11 and 13). His parents were Irish emigrants from

county Kildare County Kildare () is a Counties of Ireland, county in Ireland. It is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster and is part of the Eastern and Midland Region. It is named after the town of Kildare. Kildare County Council is the Local gove ...

in Ireland.Arthur Croxton
Stars of the Stage: No. IV. – Mr. George Clarke
''The Theatre'', September 1893, pages 121-128. George's family moved to

Richmond, Virginia Richmond ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the Commonwealth (U.S. state), U.S. commonwealth of Virginia. Incorporated in 1742, Richmond has been an independent city (United States), independent city since 1871. ...

, where he attended a school run by the Christian Brothers. His parents were strict

Roman Catholics The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics worldwide as of 2025. It is among the world's oldest and largest international institut ...

and wished for their son to be educated for the priesthood. George first attended a

theatre Theatre or theater is a collaborative form of performing art that uses live performers, usually actors to present experiences of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place, often a Stage (theatre), stage. The performe ...

when he was aged thirteen or fourteen, and found himself captivated by the experience. As he later explained: "It excited or aroused my particular Roman Catholic hysterical temperament into a condition that was very willing to accept any outlet; and as the theatre seemed the nearest thing to the pageantry of the church, I was at once attracted to the stage". In September 1855 George joined the Richmond Dramatic Association and played "many youthful parts", including the role of 'Prince of Wales' in Shakespeare's ''

Richard III Richard III (2 October 1452 – 22 August 1485) was King of England from 26 June 1483 until his death in 1485. He was the last king of the Plantagenet dynasty and its cadet branch the House of York. His defeat and death at the Battle of Boswor ...

''. In about 1857, when he was aged seventeen, George joined a theatrical ensemble called Hight & Hyde's Dramatic Company, then touring the American South. He toured with them and also a company managed by George Kunkel and

John T. Ford John Thompson Ford (April 16, 1829 – March 14, 1894) was an American theater manager and politician during the nineteenth century. He is most notable for operating Ford's Theatre at the time of the Abraham Lincoln assassination. Early life ...

, at some stage adopting the stage-name of George Clarke. He then became attached to the Holliday Street Theatre in

Baltimore Baltimore is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland. With a population of 585,708 at the 2020 census and estimated at 568,271 in 2024, it is the 30th-most populous U.S. city. The Baltimore metropolitan area is the 20th-large ...

, under the John T. Ford's management, where he remained until mid-year 1859.Geo. Clarke, the Actor, is Dead at Norwich
''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

'', 5 October 1906.

Theatre experience

Late in 1859 Clarke accepted a position with

P. T. Barnum Phineas Taylor Barnum (July 5, 1810 – April 7, 1891) was an American showman, businessman, and politician remembered for promoting celebrated hoaxes and founding with James Anthony Bailey the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. He was ...

at the Barnum Museum on the corner of Broadway and Ann Street in New York, where he remained for three years playing a variety of small parts. By 1863 Clarke was a member of Mrs. John Wood's Company at the Olympic Theatre in New York, during which time he performed in ''Taming the Butterfly'', an early play by

. He later performed at the Boston Theatre under the management of Orlande Tompkins, Benjamin W. Thayer and Henry C. Jarrett. After a brief season with Leonard Grover at the New Chestnut Street Theatre in

Philadelphia Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the List of United States cities by population, sixth-most populous city in the Unit ...

, Clarke joined Mark Smith and John Lewis Baker at the New York Theatre, where he played 'Bob Brierly' in '' The Ticket-of-Leave Man''. In mid-year 1867 Clarke rejoined Grover at New York's Olympic Theatre and also supported Lucille Western at the

Walnut Street Theatre Walnut Street Theatre, founded in 1808 at 825 Walnut Street, on the corner of S. 9th Street in the Washington Square West neighborhood of Philadelphia, is the oldest operating theatre in the United States. The venue is operated by Walnut Str ...

in Philadelphia, as well as performing at the Worrell Sisters' New York Theatre in the plays ''Norwood'' and '' Under the Gaslight'', written by

. In mid-year 1868 Clarke was engaged by Edwin Forrest as a stage manager and "occasional leading man". By this stage in his career, after his decade-long acting experience and aged in his late-twenties, Clarke was described as "a handsome youth, beginning to win favour".Oral Sumner Coad & Edwin Mims Jnr. (1929)
George Clarke, 1844-1906
page 242.

The Daly Company

In 1869 Clarke joined the Augustin Daly Company at

Daly's Theatre Daly's Theatre was a theatre in the City of Westminster. It was located at 2 Cranbourn Street, just off Leicester Square. It opened on 27 June 1893, and was demolished in 1937. The theatre was built for and named after the American impresa ...

in Twenty-fourth Street, New York, being managed by the playwright and theatre critic

. Clarke performed there as 'Charles Courtly' in ''

London Assurance ''London Assurance'' (originally entitled ''Out of Town'') is a five-act comedy co-authored by Dion Boucicault and John Brougham. While the play was collaboratively written by both playwrights, after the play's initial premiere Broughman, who o ...

'' and 'Littleton Coke' in ''Old Heads and Young Hearts''.W. Davenport Adams (1904), ''A Dictionary of the Drama'', Vol. I (A – G), London: Chatto & Windus, page 296. In 1870 Clarke reprised those parts at

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 ...

. He remained there for only part of the season, leaving to become manager of Lina Edwin's Theatre, opposite the New York Hotel. In about September 1871 Clarke joined William J. Florence's company for his production of ''Eileen Oge'' at the Grand Opera House in New York and finished the season at the Varieties Theatre in New Orleans.Walter Browne & F. A. Austin (editors) (1906),
Clarke, George
, ''Who's Who on the Stage: The Dramatic Reference Book and Biographical Dictionary of the Theatre'', New York: Walter Browne & F. A. Austin, pages 52-53. In September 1872 Clarke returned to the company at Daly's Theatre in New York, playing alongside Clara Morris in ''Diamonds''.''The New York Times Theater Reviews: 1870-1919'', pages 70, 279. During 1872 Clarke played the following roles: 'Flutter' in ''The Belle's Strategem'', 'Goldfinch' in '' The Road to Ruin'', 'Mirabel' in '' The Inconstant'', 'Ford' in ''

The Merry Wives of Windsor ''The Merry Wives of Windsor'' or ''Sir John Falstaff and the Merry Wives of Windsor'' is a comedy by William Shakespeare first published in 1602, though believed to have been written in or before 1597. The Windsor of the play's title is a ref ...

'', 'Charles Surface' in Sheridan's ''

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 ...

'' and 'Julio' in '' A Bold Stroke for a Husband''. In 1873 he and Clara Morris appeared together in productions of ''Alixe'' and ''Divorce''. On 1 January 1974 Clarke performed at the matinee as 'Lord Arthur Chilton' in a production of ''New Year's Eve''. A few hours after the performance had ended the theatre was destroyed by fire. Clarke remained with Daly during the five month season from mid-January 1873, at his temporary theatre opposite the New York Hotel. A new production of ''The School for Scandal'' opened on 9 September 1874 at Daly's

Fifth Avenue Theatre The Fifth Avenue Theatre was a Broadway theatre in Manhattan, New York City, United States, at 31 West 28th Street and Broadway (1185 Broadway). It was demolished in 1939. Built in 1868, it was managed by Augustin Daly in the mid-1870s. In ...

, with Clarke performing the role of 'Charles Surface'. ''The School for Scandal'' was followed by ''Moorcroft'' on 18 October, a new play written by

Bronson Howard Bronson Crocker Howard (October 7, 1842 – August 4, 1908) was an American dramatist. Biography Howard was born in Detroit where his father Charles Howard was Mayor in 1849. He prepared for college at New Haven, Conn., but instead of ente ...

for Daly's company, in which Clarke played the role of 'Harrington Gawtry'.'The Drama: Fifth Avenue Theater - Moorcroft', ''New York Tribune'', 19 October 1874, pages 4-5. However, the reviews of Howard's play were scathing, gaining "the unanimous condemnation of the critics". The reviewer for the ''New York Tribune'' wrote: "A sillier play than 'Moorcroft' it has never been our misfortune to witness". The final performance of ''Moorcroft'' was held on the evening of 31 October. After the failure of ''Moorcroft'', Daly decided to revive ''The School for Scandal'' for two nights, beginning on 2 November.Marvin Felheim (1956), ''The Theater of Augustin Daly'', Cambridge: Harvard University Press, pages 20-21.Joseph Francis Daly (1917), pages 177-179. It had been the custom in all first-class theatres that male actors in older comedies (such as ''The School for Scandal'') should "wear no hair upon the face, so as to accord with the fashion of the period" (unless specifically required to do otherwise). Daly was a strong advocate of the custom, which he adopted as an iron-clad rule for his productions, and a notice detailing the instruction was posted in the green-room of the theatre. Clarke had grown a moustache for his part in ''Moorcroft'' and chose to disregard the directive for a play running for only two nights. On the evening of the opening of ''The School for Scandal'' Daly severely reprimanded Clarke for his refusal to follow instructions, which ended with Clarke refusing to appear on stage, telling Daly "that he might read the part himself" before leaving the theatre. Clarke inflamed the situation by allowing himself to be interviewed by newspaper reporters, in which he criticised Daly and "predicted his early downfall". A few months afterwards Clarke wrote a letter to Daly expressing his regret about the incident, but twelve years was to elapse before the actor once again worked for Daly. After Clarke's departure from Daly's company John Drew Jnr. joined in his place. George Clarke with book NY Public Library collection

George Clarke with book NY Public Library collection

Interregnum

After leaving Daly's company Clarke supported Clara Rousby at the Fourteenth Street Theatre and subsequent touring production (under the management of J. Grau and C. A. Chizzola). In 1875 he travelled to England where he played in ''Proof Positive'' at the London Opera Comique and he performed in a provincial tour of ''

The Shaughraun ''The Shaughraun'' is a melodramatic Play (theatre), play written by Irish people, Irish playwright Dion Boucicault. It was first performed at Wallack's Theatre, New York City, New York, on 14 November 1874. Dion Boucicault played Conn in the ...

''. He was also a cast member with Charles Wyndham in the first production of '' The Pink Dominos''. In 1878, after returning to New York, Clarke produced ''Hearts of Steel'' at Niblo's Garden. In 1879 he performed in ''Rescued'', under the management of

Dion Boucicault Dionysius Lardner "Dion" Boucicault (né Boursiquot; 26 December 1820 – 18 September 1890) was an Irish actor and playwright famed for his melodramas. By the later part of the 19th century, Boucicault had become known on both sides of the ...

at Booth's Theatre, which suffered from poor attendances. Clarke taught acting for the stage for a short period. During the period 1877 to 1883 he was engaged in various tours "with doubtful pieces and odd companies, and in brief engagements with numberless managers and theatres". Clarke supported Fanny Davenport and Clara Morris during their tours and occasionally performed at the Star and Madison Square theatres in New York. From June 1883 Clarke played the lead role of 'Harold Wyncot' in the first production of '' The Rajah'' at the Madison Square Theatre. Although the romantic comedy was panned by the critics, it was a popular success and ran for 250 nights in New York. In May 1884 he played 'Inspector Byrnes' in ''The Pulse of New York'' at the Star Theatre.

Back with Daly's company

Clarke was managed by

Lester Wallack John Johnstone Wallack (January 1, 1820, New York City – September 6, 1888, Stamford, Connecticut), was an American actor-manager and son of James William Wallack and Susan Johnstone. He used the stage name John Lester until October 5, 1858, ...

during the 1885-86 season after which he returned to Augustin Daly's Company, first performing in ''The Taming of the Shrew'' on 18 January 1887. He remained with Daly's company for the next thirteen years (until Daly's death in 1899). Clarke alternated between New York and London while working for Daly during the period 1887 to 1899, frequently playing roles in Shakespearean productions as well as other plays, including revivals of older productions such as ''The School for Scandal'' and ''London Assurance''. He acted in many productions alongside the popular actress Ada Rehan.''The New York Times Theater Reviews: 1870-1919'', pages 70, 317-318. Clarke's acting skills were "well received in Daly's numerous Shakespearean revivals". Examples of his roles in Shakespeare plays were: "a swaggering and cringing Malvolio in ''Twelfth Night''; a romantic Orlando in ''

As You Like It ''As You Like It'' is a pastoral Shakespearean comedy, comedy by William Shakespeare believed to have been written in 1599 and first published in the First Folio in 1623. The play's first performance is uncertain, though a performance at Wil ...

''; an impressive Leonato in ''Much Ado About Nothing''; a gay, clever Biron in ''Love's Labour's Lost''". He also played the role of 'Jaques' in ''As You Like It'', 'Petruchio' in ''The Taming of the Shrew'', the 'Duke of Milan' in ''The Two Gentlemen of Verona'' and 'Theseus' in ''A Midsummer Night's Dream''. In 1888 Clarke travelled to London where he performed at the Gaiety Theatre in ''The Railroad of Love'' (as 'Grinnidge') and ''The Taming of the Shrew''. In October 1888 he played in ''The Lottery of Love'' in Daly's Theatre, New York. In New York in January 1889 Clarke played 'Captain Duretête' in '' The Inconstant''. In March he performed in ''The Taming of the Shrew'' and ''Samson and Dalilah''.''The New York Times Theater Reviews: 1870-1919'', page 70. In London Clarke played 'Joseph Surface' in ''The School for Scandal'', followed by 'Biron' in ''Love's Labour's Lost''. In December in New York hHe played 'Jaques' in a revival of ''As You Like It''. In New York in February and March 1890 Clarke performed in the plays ''Country Girl'', ''Le Pater (The Prayer)'', ''A Midsummer Night's Dream'' and ''Haroun al Raschid''. Later that year, at the Lyceum Theatre in London, Clarke played 'Hollyhock' in ''Casting the Boomerang'', followed by 'Jaques' in ''As You Like It'' and the young husband in ''A Woman's Won't''. In early 1891 in New York Clarke performed in ''The School for Scandal'' and ''Love's Labour's Lost''. In 1891 at London's Lyceum Theatre he played the secretary in ''The Last Word''. From September to December 1891 Clarke appeared in ''As You like It'' and ''The Taming of the Shrew'' in New York. In February 1892 Clarke performed in ''Love in Tandem'' in New York. From March 1892 he played the role of 'King Richard, Cœur de Lion' in the first production of

Tennyson Alfred Tennyson, 1st Baron Tennyson (; 6 August 1809 – 6 October 1892) was an English poet. He was the Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom, Poet Laureate during much of Queen Victoria's reign. In 1829, Tennyson was awarded the Chancellor's ...

's '' The Foresters'' at Daly's Theatre.Lord Tennyson's Play'
''The New York Times'', 18 March 1892; accessed 2 January 2025. In October he appeared in ''Little Miss Million'' and ''Dollars and Sense''. In November 1892 he performed in ''A Test Case'', followed by '' The Hunchback'' (in the role of 'Master Walter'). In 1893 and 1894 Clarke performed in revivals of previous productions in both New York and London. During 1895, in addition to revivals of previous plays, Clarke played roles in the following productions in New York: ''Queen of Smiles'', ''

The Critic ''The Critic'' is an American Adult animation, adult animated sitcom revolving around the life of New York film critic Jay Sherman, voiced by Jon Lovitz. It was created by writing partners Al Jean and Mike Reiss, who had previously worked as w ...

'', ''A Bundle of Lies'', '' The Honeymoon'' and ''The Transit of Leo''. From the mid- to late-1890s George Clarke continued to perform in both New York and London, mostly in Shakespeare's plays and revivals of previous productions.

Last years

Clarke "had an excellent voice and graceful manner, and in his earlier days was regarded as very handsome". At the time of his death it was said that he "belonged to the old school" of acting. Clarke was described by the theatre critic John R. Towse as a "versatile and well-trained actor, expert in all the tricks of his trade, intelligent, but without a particle of inspiration". In Clarke's last professional theatrical appearance, he was cast as 'Senator Bender' of Oregon in the comedy ''The Embassy Ball'', a production by

Daniel Frohman Daniel Frohman (August 22, 1851 – December 26, 1940) was an American theatrical producer and manager, and an early film producer. Biography Frohman was born to a Jewish family in Sandusky, Ohio. His parents were Henry (1826–1899) and Ba ...

(with Lawrence D'Orsay in the lead role). The play opened in

Providence, Rhode Island Providence () is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Rhode Island, most populous city of the U.S. state of Rhode Island. The county seat of Providence County, Rhode Island, Providence County, it is o ...

, in January 1906, after which it played in New York in Daly's Theatre from 5 March to 16 April 1906.Broadway Topics
''The Billboard'', 13 January 1906, page 6
Broadway Topics
''The Billboard'', 17 March 1906, page 35. George Clarke died on 3 October 1906 "at his country residence" near

Norfolk, Connecticut Norfolk () is a New England town, town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 1,588 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. The town is part of the Northwest Hills Planning Regi ...

, aged 66.

Notes

:A. :B.

References

;Sources: * Oral Sumner Coad & Edwin Mims Jnr. (1929),
The American Stage
', New Haven: Yale University Press. * Joseph Francis Daly (1917),
The Life of Augustin Daly
', New York: The MacMillan Company. * ''The New York Times Theater Reviews: 1870-1919'', published in 1975, New York: The New York Times & Arno Press. * John Ranken Towse (1916),
Sixty Years of the Theater: An Old Critic's Memories
', New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company.

External links

George Clarke
portrait gallery (New York Public Library, Billy Rose collection) {{DEFAULTSORT:Clarke, George American male stage actors 1906 deaths 1840 births 19th-century American male actors