Louise Closser Hale
Encyclopedia
Louise Closser Hale was an American actress, playwright and novelist.
Louise Closser was born either in Springfield, Massachusetts
or Chicago, Illinois (varying sources). Her father was Joseph A. Closser, a wealthy grain dealer and her mother was Louise M. Closser (1847-1932). She studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts
in New York City
, and at Emerson College of Oratory
in Boston
.
She made her theatrical debut in Detroit in an 1884 production of In Old Kentucky. Her first theatrical success came in 1903, when she appeared in a Broadway
production of George Bernard Shaw
's Candida
. In 1907, she made her London
debut in Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch
.
She was equally famous on New York and London stages, she was known to the world of literature for such novels as Home Talent and An American's London, as well as to the theater for a play called Mother's Millions, which she co-authored.
In 1899, Closser married artist and actor Walter Hale, whose name she used for her stage career, and who illustrated a number of her travel books. She collaborated with him in the preparation of many travel works. They traveled all over the world. She was a correspondent for Harper's during World War I
.
Aged 57, following her husband's death from cancer in 1917, she left the stage for Hollywood. She had a parallel career as an author and playwright, starting in the first decade of the 20th century.
.
In her will Mrs Hale requested an Episcopalian funeral service as simple and as inexpensive as possible. She directed that at the close of the service her body be cremated and that "no friend or kin accompany the body further than the church door". In her will Mrs Hale said "If I live in the memory of my friends,I shall have lived long enough".
She left her estate to relatives and charities. Her body was cremated and the ashes were interred in Hollywood Cemetery.
Louise Closser was born either in Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
or Chicago, Illinois (varying sources). Her father was Joseph A. Closser, a wealthy grain dealer and her mother was Louise M. Closser (1847-1932). She studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts
American Academy of Dramatic Arts
The American Academy of Dramatic Arts is a fully accredited two-year conservatory with facilities located in Manhattan, New York City – at 120 Madison Avenue, in a landmark building designed by noted architect Stanford White as the original Colony Club – and in Hollywood, California...
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...
, and at Emerson College of Oratory
Emerson College
Emerson College is a private coeducational university located in Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1880 by Charles Wesley Emerson as a "school of oratory," Emerson is "the only comprehensive college or university in America dedicated exclusively to communication and the arts in a liberal arts...
in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
.
She made her theatrical debut in Detroit in an 1884 production of In Old Kentucky. Her first theatrical success came in 1903, when she appeared in a Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
production of George Bernard Shaw
George Bernard Shaw
George Bernard Shaw was an Irish playwright and a co-founder of the London School of Economics. Although his first profitable writing was music and literary criticism, in which capacity he wrote many highly articulate pieces of journalism, his main talent was for drama, and he wrote more than 60...
's Candida
Candida (play)
Candida, a comedy by playwright George Bernard Shaw, was first published in 1898, as part of his Plays Pleasant. The central characters are clergyman James Morell, his wife Candida and a youthful poet, Eugene Marchbanks, who tries to win Candida's affections. The play questions Victorian notions...
. In 1907, she made her London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
debut in Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch
Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch
Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch is a 1934 comedy-genre film, directed by Norman Taurog, and based on the 1901 novel by Alice Hegan Rice. It also appeared as a radio series between 1936 and 1938. It is one of two movies that feature a rare film performance by famed Broadway stage actress Pauline...
.
She was equally famous on New York and London stages, she was known to the world of literature for such novels as Home Talent and An American's London, as well as to the theater for a play called Mother's Millions, which she co-authored.
In 1899, Closser married artist and actor Walter Hale, whose name she used for her stage career, and who illustrated a number of her travel books. She collaborated with him in the preparation of many travel works. They traveled all over the world. She was a correspondent for Harper's during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
Aged 57, following her husband's death from cancer in 1917, she left the stage for Hollywood. She had a parallel career as an author and playwright, starting in the first decade of the 20th century.
Death
She experienced an apoplectic stroke while shopping in Hollywood in 1933. She was rushed to Monte Sano Hospital. She suffered another stroke the next day and died, aged 60. She had just recently finished filming Dinner at EightDinner at Eight (film)
Dinner at Eight is a Pre-Code 1933 comedy of manners/drama produced by MGM Studios. The film was adapted to the screen by Frances Marion and Herman J. Mankiewicz from the play by George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber, with additional dialogue supplied by Donald Ogden Stewart. Produced by David O...
.
In her will Mrs Hale requested an Episcopalian funeral service as simple and as inexpensive as possible. She directed that at the close of the service her body be cremated and that "no friend or kin accompany the body further than the church door". In her will Mrs Hale said "If I live in the memory of my friends,I shall have lived long enough".
Family
Hale had no children, but two sisters, writer Myla Jo Closser (1880-1962) of New York City, and Belle Closser Wilson of Indianapolis, survived her.She left her estate to relatives and charities. Her body was cremated and the ashes were interred in Hollywood Cemetery.