Lewis Morrison

Lewis Morrison (September 4, 1844 – August 18, 1906) was a Jamaican-born American stage actor and theatrical manager, born Moritz (or Morris) W. Morris. He was best known for his portrayal of Mephistopheles in his own production of Faust, which he performed from 1885 to 1906. He was the father of actress Adrienne Morrison, and grandfather of Constance, Barbara and Joan Bennett.[1][2]

This article is about American actor. For the Scottish football player, see Lewis Morrison (footballer).
Lewis Morrison
Lewis Morrison in 1905
Born
Morris W. Morris

September 4, 1844
Jamaica, West Indies
DiedAugust 18, 1906 (aged 61)
Yonkers, New York, U.S.
OccupationActor
Spouse(s)Rose Wood (married 1877–1890)
Florence Roberts (married 1892–1906)
Children3, including Adrienne Morrison
RelativesConstance Bennett (granddaughter)
Barbara Bennett (granddaughter)
Joan Bennett (granddaughter)
Morton Downey Jr. (great-grandson)

Biography
Morrison as Mephistopheles in Faust
Poster for the Morrison version of Goethe's Faust (1889)

Born Morris W. Morris, after the Civil War he became a stage actor using the name Lewis Morrison. He first performed in New Orleans beginning in minor roles with Edwin Booth and Charlotte Cushman until he was featured in larger parts. He became a well-known actor in New Orleans and moved on to the stage in New York, where he gained greater fame in Faust. He founded his own traveling theater troupe and traveled the world playing the role of Mephistopheles.

Personal life

Morrison was married first to Anglo-American actress Rose Wood. He was the father of actresses Rosabel Morrison and Adrienne Morrison; grandfather of actresses Constance, Barbara and Joan Bennett; and great-grandfather of television talk show host Morton Downey Jr.

Morrison and Rose Wood were divorced in 1890. He married the much younger stage actress Florence Roberts in 1892.

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References
  1. Berlin, Ira; Reidy, Joseph P.; Rowland, Leslie S., eds. (1982). Freedom: Series II: The Black Military Experience: A Documentary History of Emancipation, 1861–1867 (Freedom: A Documentary History of Emancipation 1861–1867). New York: Cambridge University Press. p. 310. ISBN 9780521229845.
  2. Bennett, Joan; Lois Kibbee (1970). The Bennett Playbill. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston. OCLC 100769.

Sources


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