Wilton Lackaye(1862-1932)
- Actor
Wilton Lackaye was born in Loudon County, Virginia, and educated at
Georgetown University. He was barely out of college when he made his
debut as Lucentio opposite Lawrence Barrett in an 1883 revival of
"Francesca da Rimini". A powerfully built, mustachioed stage star of
the old school, Lackaye played the title role in "Nero" (1890),
Svengali in "Trilby" (1895) and Simon Legree in "Uncle Tom's Cabin"
(1901). He entered the motion-picture business (shot in New York City)
with World Films in 1914 and re-created his Svengali for director
Maurice Tourneur in the still extant
Trilby (1915). Well received at the time,
it was the highlight of a screen career spent mainly in supporting
roles. From a theatrical family, Lackaye was the husband of actress
Ruth Lackaye, brother of actors
James Lackaye and
Helen Lackaye and the father of
actor-playwright Wilton Lackaye Jr.
His final Broadway appearance seems to have been opposite old pal
Alice Brady in an unsuccessful production of
"Love, Honor and Betray" (1930), which closed after 45 performances.
Lackaye continued to appear both in new plays and revivals, especially
of "Trilby", until shortly before his death at age 69. Lackaye had a
pleasant, round face, with large eyes, and for many years sported a
prominent handlebar mustache.
