Jessie Busley

Spouses

Ernest Joy (1907–1908) (separated)

Jack Ferris (? - ?) (divorced)

Personal life

Several months after they were married Ernest Joy tried to shoot a theatrical press agent in a jealous rage after he saw him leaving a theater with Jessie. Word of the shot was reported in the news of the time and the press agent left town. Later that same year, Jessie and Ernest separated after it was reported that she had him arrested for "annoying her". All charges were dropped when Jessie did not appear to testify against him.

Jessie made The New York Times when an article appeared August 1, 1908, claiming she had "Set Two Men on her husband Ernest C. Joy who she intended to divorce."

The New York Times article titled:

"ACTRESS'S HUSBAND IS BADLY BEATEN"

and said "Ernest C. Joy Says His Wife, Jessie Busley, Set Two Men on Him. HE IS SENT TO A HOSPITAL One of His Unidentified Assailants Beat Him Over the Head with an Iron Bar." The article went on to say that they had frequent quarrels and end by saying that (at that time) "She last appeared in The Bishop's Carriage in which she made a hit".

Lastly leaving the parting shot that "She is well known as an actress but has had more success in the south and west then in this city".

Career

Jessie starred on stage in over 25 Charles Frohman productions in the first 15 years of her career.

Later in June 1930 she would appear on film for the first time in The Devil's Parade A Musical Revue set in Hades, a 10-minute film short by Warner Bros. Pictures alongside Actress Joan Blondell

Jessie went on to appear in such films as Brother Rat and Brother Rat and a Baby with Priscilla Lane, Jane Bryan, Oscar nominated actor Eddie Albert, Oscar-winning actress Jane Wyman, and actor and two term president of the United States Ronald Reagan

In 1939, she appeared alongside Kay Francis, Oscar nominated actor James Stephenson,and Oscar winner and legendary actor Humphrey Bogart in King of the Underworld. The next year she would appear alongside Humphrey Bogart again in It All Came True with actress Ann Sheridan.

Broadway Plays

+Not on Broadway

Daly's Theatre

Nov 27, 1899 - Feb 4, 1900

The Manoeuvres of Jane [Original, Play, Comedy]

Garden Theatre

Feb 21, 1900 - May 1900

Hearts Are Trumps [Original, Play, Melodrama]

The National Theatre +(Washington, DC)

October 22–27, 1900

Hearts Are Trumps [Original, Play, Melodrama]

[Herald Square Theatre]

May 20, 1901 - Jul 8, 1901

The Brixton Burglary [Original, Play, Farce]

Criterion Theatre

Aug 26, 1901 - Dec 1901

A Royal Rival [Original, Play, Drama]

Garrick Theatre

Mar 17, 1902 - Apr 1902

Sky Farm [Original, Play, Comedy]

Garrick Theatre

Aug 25, 1902 - Sep 1902

The New Clown [Original, Play, Farce]

Hoyt's Theatre

Sep 30, 1902 - Nov 1902

The Two Schools [Original, Play]

Empire Theatre

Jan 5, 1904 - Jan 1904

Little Mary [Original, Play]

Savoy Theatre, (1/11/1905 - 1/29/1905) Lyceum Theatre, (1/30/1905 - 4/30/1905)

Jan 11, 1905 - Apr 30, 1905

Mrs. Leffingwell's Boots [Original, Play, Comedy]

Grand Opera House

Feb 25, 1907 - Mar 1907

In the Bishop's Carriage [Original, Play]

New Theatre

Nov 11, 1909 - [unknown]

The Cottage in the Air [Original, Play]

New Theatre

Jan 3, 1910 - Jan 3, 1910

Liz the Mother [Original, Play]

New Theatre

Mar 28, 1910 - [unknown]

The Winter's Tale [Revival, Play, Comedy]

New Theatre

Dec 19, 1910 - [unknown]

Old Heidelberg [Revival, Play]

Liberty Theatre

Nov 23, 1914 - Nov 1914

Twelfth Night [Revival, Play, Comedy]

Hudson Theatre

Sep 18, 1916 - Dec 1916

Pollyanna [Original, Play]

Playhouse Theatre

Oct 15, 1919 - Oct 1919

A Young Man's Fancy [Original, Play, Comedy]

Playhouse Theatre

Oct 25, 1926 - Jan 1927

Daisy Mayme [Original, Play, Comedy]

[Daisy Mayme Plunkett] Lyceum Theatre

Dec 28, 1928 - Jan 1929

To-Morrow [Original, Play]

[Grace] Broadhurst Theatre

Nov 19, 1930 - Dec 1930

An Affair of State [Original, Play, Comedy]

[Aunt Augusta] 48th Street Theatre

Oct 6, 1931 - Dec 1931

The Streets of New York, or Poverty is No Crime [Revival, Play, Melodrama]

[Mrs. Puffy] 48th Street Theatre

Oct 14, 1931 - Oct 1931

Pillars of Society [Revival, Play, Drama]

[Miss Rummel] Fulton Theatre

Dec 26, 1931 - Mar 1932

The Bride the Sun Shines On [Original, Play, Comedy]

[Mrs. Marbury] Belasco Theatre

Feb 20, 1933 - May 1933

Alien Corn [Original, Play]

[Mrs. Skeats] Center Theatre

Sep 22, 1934 - Jun 8, 1935

The Great Waltz [Original, Musical, Operetta]

[Greta] Center Theatre

Aug 5, 1935 - Sep 16, 1935

The Great Waltz [Original, Musical, Operetta]

[Greta] Music Box Theatre

Nov 26, 1935 - Jun 1936

First Lady [Original, Play, Comedy]

[Belle Hardwick] Ethel Barrymore Theatre

Dec 26, 1936 - Jul 1938

The Women [Original, Play, Comedy]

[Mrs. Morehead] Music Box Theatre

Jan 3, 1944 - Jul 8, 1944

Over 21 [Original, Play]

[Mrs. Armina Gates] John Golden Theatre

Nov 9, 1945 - Dec 1, 1945

The Rich Full Life [Original, Play]

[Mother Fenwick] Lyceum Theatre

Apr 25, 1949 - Apr 30, 1949

The Happiest Years [Original, Play, Comedy]

[Alida Wentworth]

Films

This filmography is believed to be complete.

The Devil's Parade (1930 short)

Personal Maid (1931)

Brother Rat (1938)

King of the Underworld (1939) as Aunt Josephine

Brother Rat and a Baby (1940)

It All Came True (1940) as Mrs. Nora Taylor

Escape to Glory (1940)