Grace Henderson
Encyclopedia
Grace Henderson was a stage actress and prolific performer in silent motion pictures. She made her professional debut at McKiver's Theatre in Chicago, Illinois in 1877.
A decade later she began a successful run at the Lyceum Theatre in New York City
. She originated the
role of "Lucille Ferrand" in The Wife. She played in The Marquis, and received acclaim for her performance as "Phyliss Lee" in The Charity Ball. Later Grace Henderson supported Nance O'Neill in Peter Pan, with Maude Adams
' company. This production was staged at the Empire Theatre
.
She toured in Lightnin. The actress' final stage appearance came in the Theatre Guild
production of Green Grow The Lilacs
.
Henderson participated in more than one hundred twenty silent films starting in 1909 with Lucky Jim. She was in His Trust (1911) which was directed by D.W. Griffith and Trying To Fool Uncle (1912), a production of Mack Sennett
. Her last film was Day Dreams, directed by Clarence C. Badger, in which she played
"Grandmother Burn".
. In November 1896 David Henderson obtained a divorce decree from her. He charged her with infidelity. George Alexander Ballantine of New York was named as co-respondent. The theatrical manager alleged that Grace visited Paris, France with Ballantine. On the trip George created a sensation by applying in the French courts for a divorce from his wife. Henderson did not request custody of their son.
Grace was his second wife. He married a third time the same month the divorce was granted from Grace. David Henderson's third wife was Frankie Raymond, formerly a burlesque
performer for the Henderson Burlesque Company. During this time Grace was appearing in New York in Under the Polar Star.
George Ballantine lastly married Minnie Howe Parry on August 28, 1896 at the Waldorf
. The announcement of their engagement caused a rift between Grace and Ballantine, in which a revolver
played a significant part .
Grace allegedly had an affair with actor Maurice Barrymore in the late 1880s and bore a son who was mentally unstable. The son was confined to institutions and was virtually unknown to outside sources until Grace started appearing in early movies and devoting a lot of her salary to his upkeep.
Grace Henderson died in 1944 in Morrisania Hospital, Bronx, New York, aged 84. She was survived by a son, Edwin L. Henderson, of Schenectady, New York
.
A decade later she began a successful run at the Lyceum Theatre in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. She originated the
role of "Lucille Ferrand" in The Wife. She played in The Marquis, and received acclaim for her performance as "Phyliss Lee" in The Charity Ball. Later Grace Henderson supported Nance O'Neill in Peter Pan, with Maude Adams
Maude Adams
Maude Ewing Kiskadden , known professionally as Maude Adams, was an American stage actress who achieved her greatest success as Peter Pan. Adams's personality appealed to a large audience and helped her become the most successful and highest-paid performer of her day, with a yearly income of more...
' company. This production was staged at the Empire Theatre
Empire Theatre
Empire Theatre or Empire Theater may refer to:In the United Kingdom:*Empire Theatre of Varieties, now the Empire, Leicester Square, City of Westminster, London*Glasgow Empire Theatre, Glasgow*Hackney Empire, in Hackney...
.
She toured in Lightnin. The actress' final stage appearance came in the Theatre Guild
Theatre Guild
The Theatre Guild is a theatrical society founded in New York City in 1918 by Lawrence Langner, Philip Moeller, Helen Westley and Theresa Helburn. Langner's wife, Armina Marshall, then served as a co-director. It evolved out of the work of the Washington Square Players.Its original purpose was to...
production of Green Grow The Lilacs
Green Grow the Lilacs (play)
Green Grow the Lilacs is a 1930 play by Lynn Riggs named for the popular folk song of the same name. It was performed 64 times on Broadway, opening on January 26, 1931 and closing March 21, 1931. It also played January 19, 1931 through January 24, 1931 at the National Theatre in Washington, D.C. It...
.
Henderson participated in more than one hundred twenty silent films starting in 1909 with Lucky Jim. She was in His Trust (1911) which was directed by D.W. Griffith and Trying To Fool Uncle (1912), a production of Mack Sennett
Mack Sennett
Mack Sennett was a Canadian-born American director and was known as the innovator of slapstick comedy in film. During his lifetime he was known at times as the "King of Comedy"...
. Her last film was Day Dreams, directed by Clarence C. Badger, in which she played
"Grandmother Burn".
Personal life
Grace was the widow of David Henderson, a Chicago newspaper man, who managed the Chicago Opera HouseChicago Opera House
The Chicago Opera House, was a theater complex in Chicago, Illinois, USA, designed by the architectural firm of Cobb and Frost. The Chicago Opera House building took the cue provided by the Metropolitan Opera of New York as a mixed-used building: it housed both a theater and unrelated offices,...
. In November 1896 David Henderson obtained a divorce decree from her. He charged her with infidelity. George Alexander Ballantine of New York was named as co-respondent. The theatrical manager alleged that Grace visited Paris, France with Ballantine. On the trip George created a sensation by applying in the French courts for a divorce from his wife. Henderson did not request custody of their son.
Grace was his second wife. He married a third time the same month the divorce was granted from Grace. David Henderson's third wife was Frankie Raymond, formerly a burlesque
Burlesque
Burlesque is a literary, dramatic or musical work intended to cause laughter by caricaturing the manner or spirit of serious works, or by ludicrous treatment of their subjects...
performer for the Henderson Burlesque Company. During this time Grace was appearing in New York in Under the Polar Star.
George Ballantine lastly married Minnie Howe Parry on August 28, 1896 at the Waldorf
Waldorf
- People :* William Waldorf Astor, 1st Viscount Astor , financier and statesman* Waldorf Astor, 2nd Viscount Astor , businessman and politician- Communities :United States* Waldorf, Maryland* Waldorf, MinnesotaGermany...
. The announcement of their engagement caused a rift between Grace and Ballantine, in which a revolver
Revolver
A revolver is a repeating firearm that has a cylinder containing multiple chambers and at least one barrel for firing. The first revolver ever made was built by Elisha Collier in 1818. The percussion cap revolver was invented by Samuel Colt in 1836. This weapon became known as the Colt Paterson...
played a significant part .
Grace allegedly had an affair with actor Maurice Barrymore in the late 1880s and bore a son who was mentally unstable. The son was confined to institutions and was virtually unknown to outside sources until Grace started appearing in early movies and devoting a lot of her salary to his upkeep.
Grace Henderson died in 1944 in Morrisania Hospital, Bronx, New York, aged 84. She was survived by a son, Edwin L. Henderson, of Schenectady, New York
Schenectady, New York
Schenectady is a city in Schenectady County, New York, United States, of which it is the county seat. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 66,135...
.