James Lewis (1840–1896) was an American comedic actor.

Biography

James Lewis was born in

Troy, New York Troy is a city in and the county seat of Rensselaer County, New York, United States. It is located on the western edge of the county, on the eastern bank of the Hudson River just northeast of the capital city of Albany, New York, Albany. At the ...

in October 1840. There, he made his first stage appearance in 1858, playing Farmer Gammon in ''The Writing on the Wall''.James Lewis: ''North American Theatre Online''
/ref> At the outbreak of the

Civil War A civil war is a war between organized groups within the same Sovereign state, state (or country). The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government policies.J ...

he was in the South, and narrowly escaped being detained there by the blockade. Subsequently he traveled much in the Middle West. His first appearance in

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

was in 1866, in the

farce Farce is a comedy that seeks to entertain an audience through situations that are highly exaggerated, extravagant, ridiculous, absurd, and improbable. Farce is also characterized by heavy use of physical comedy, physical humor; the use of delibe ...

''Your Life's in Danger'', presented at the Olympic Theatre by Mrs. John Wood's company. Afterward he was very successful 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 ...

in the role of

Dick Swiveller Richard "Dick" Swiveller is a fictional character in the 1841 novel ''The Old Curiosity Shop'' by Charles Dickens. Initially a comical accessory to the antagonists in the novel, he undergoes a transformation, becoming a key helpmate bridging the d ...

. In 1869 he became the leading comedian in

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 ...

's company in New York City, and he retained this position during the remainder of his life. He was highly successful in almost every comedy part that he played. He died in

West Hampton Dunes, New York West Hampton Dunes is an incorporated village in the Town of Southampton on Westhampton Island, in Suffolk County, New York, United States. Located off the South Shore of Long Island, the village's population was 126 at the time of the 2020 ...

on September 10, 1896.

References

External links

*
James Lewis portrait gallery
NY Public Library, Billy Rose collection) {{DEFAULTSORT:Lewis, James Actors from Troy, New York American male comedians American male stage actors 1840 births 1896 deaths 19th-century American male actors Comedians from New York (state)