Frederick Kerr
Encyclopedia
Frederick Kerr was a British
actor who appeared on stage in both New York City and London, and in British and American films; he also worked as a major theatrical manager in London.
. As a youth just out of Cambridge, he came to New York City around 1880 and worked as a sketch artist, when sheer chance turned him into an actor. He was living in a boarding house on 7th Avenue, where a number of theatrical people also lived (among them, Henry Miller, who eventually became Kerr's manager). Osmond Tearle, an actor living there, heard from his own producer that an Englishman was needed for a production of The School for Scandal
-- Tearle recruited Frederick, who got the part in January 1882 (which is also likely the moment he took the stage name of Frederick Kerr). Kerr appeared in several more plays in New York City that year, but left for England to appear in a London play in December 1882. Over the next fifty years, he travelled back and forth across the Atlantic several times for theatrical work both in New York City and in London.
and 1933
. He is best known as old Baron Frankenstein in Frankenstein
(1931).
in London in 1895 and later managing the Royal Court Theatre
; his roles included the titular pirate in George Bernard Shaw's Captain Brassbound's Conversion
.
, who followed in his father's theatrical footsteps. Frederick Kerr died in London on May 3, 1933.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
actor who appeared on stage in both New York City and London, and in British and American films; he also worked as a major theatrical manager in London.
Early life
Frederick Grinham Keen was born October 11, 1858, in London, England, United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. As a youth just out of Cambridge, he came to New York City around 1880 and worked as a sketch artist, when sheer chance turned him into an actor. He was living in a boarding house on 7th Avenue, where a number of theatrical people also lived (among them, Henry Miller, who eventually became Kerr's manager). Osmond Tearle, an actor living there, heard from his own producer that an Englishman was needed for a production of The School for Scandal
The School for Scandal
The School for Scandal is a play written by Richard Brinsley Sheridan. It was first performed in London at Drury Lane Theatre on May 8, 1777.The prologue, written by David Garrick, commends the play, its subject, and its author to the audience...
-- Tearle recruited Frederick, who got the part in January 1882 (which is also likely the moment he took the stage name of Frederick Kerr). Kerr appeared in several more plays in New York City that year, but left for England to appear in a London play in December 1882. Over the next fifty years, he travelled back and forth across the Atlantic several times for theatrical work both in New York City and in London.
Film career
He appeared in 19 films between 19161916 in film
The year 1916 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* October 17 - release of A Daughter of the Gods, the first US production with a million dollar budget, with the first nude scene by a major star....
and 1933
1933 in film
-Events:* March 2 - King Kong premieres in New York City.* June 6 - The first drive-in theater opens, in Camden, New Jersey.* British Film Institute founded....
. He is best known as old Baron Frankenstein in Frankenstein
Frankenstein (1931 film)
Frankenstein is a 1931 Pre-Code Horror Monster film from Universal Pictures directed by James Whale and adapted from the play by Peggy Webling which in turn is based on the novel of the same name by Mary Shelley. The film stars Colin Clive, Mae Clarke, John Boles and Boris Karloff, and features...
(1931).
Selected filmography
- RafflesRaffles (1930 film)Raffles is a film starring Ronald Colman as the popular title character, a gentleman who is also secretly a notorious jewel thief. Kay Francis plays the woman who Raffles falls in love with. It is based on the 1906 play Raffles, the Amateur Cracksman by E. W...
(1930) - Waterloo BridgeWaterloo Bridge (1931 film)Waterloo Bridge is a 1931 American drama film directed by James Whale. The screenplay by Benn Levy and Tom Reed is based on the 1930 play of the same title by Robert E. Sherwood....
(1931) - The MidshipmaidThe MidshipmaidThe Midshipmaid is a 1932 British comedy film directed by Albert de Courville and starring Jessie Matthews, Frederick Kerr, Basil Sydney and Nigel Bruce.-Cast:* Jessie Matthews - Celia Newbiggin* Frederick Kerr - Sir Percy Newbiggin...
(1932) - Lord of the ManorLord of the Manor (film)Lord of the Manor is a 1933 British comedy film directed by Henry Edwards and starring Betty Stockfeld, Frederick Kerr and Henry Wilcoxon. During a party at a country house, a number of the guests switch their romantic partners. It was based on a play by John Hastings Turner.-Cast:* Betty Stockfeld...
(1933)
Theatre career
He also acted on stage, becoming actor-manager of the Vaudeville TheatreVaudeville Theatre
The Vaudeville Theatre is a West End theatre on The Strand in the City of Westminster. As the name suggests, the theatre held mostly vaudeville shows and musical revues in its early days. It opened in 1870 and was rebuilt twice, although each new building retained elements of the previous...
in London in 1895 and later managing the Royal Court Theatre
Royal Court Theatre
The Royal Court Theatre is a non-commercial theatre on Sloane Square, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It is noted for its contributions to modern theatre...
; his roles included the titular pirate in George Bernard Shaw's Captain Brassbound's Conversion
Captain Brassbound's Conversion
Captain Brassbound's Conversion is a play by G. Bernard Shaw. It was published in Shaw's 1901 collection Three Plays for Puritans . The first American production of the play starred Ellen Terry in 1907....
.
Writing career
His memoirs were published in 1930 under the title Recollections of a Defective Memory.Personal life
Frederick Kerr's wife was Lucy Dowson — they had one son, Geoffrey KerrGeoffrey Kerr
Geoffrey Kerr was a British stage and film actor, and writer, during the middle of the 20th century, part of a British family with a strong stage and theatre tradition spanning several generations.-Early life:...
, who followed in his father's theatrical footsteps. Frederick Kerr died in London on May 3, 1933.