Years active 1883-1925 Children Wilton Lackaye Jr. | Name Wilton Lackaye Role Film actor | |
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Full Name William Andrew Lackey Born September 30, 1862 ( 1862-09-30 ) Loudoun County, Virginia Died August 22, 1932, New York City, New York, United States Movies Trilby, What's Wrong with the Women?, The Lone Wolf Spouse Katherine Alberta Riley (m. 1928–1932), Annie Lewis (m. 1886) Parents Margaret Bagnam, James Lackaye Sr. Siblings Helen Lackaye, James Lackaye People also search for James Lackaye, Helen Lackaye | ||
Wilton Lackaye
Wilton Lackaye (September 30, 1862 – August 22, 1932) was an American stage and film actor, who originated the role of Svengali (from the 1895 novel Trilby) in both stage and film.
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Early life and family
William Andrew Lackey was born in Loudoun County, Virginia the son of James Lackey and his wife Margaret Bagnam. He was married thrice: first to actress Annie Lewis, second to Alice Evans and lastly to Katherine Alberta Riley. He had a son Wilton Lackaye Jr. (1902–1977) with Alice Evans. He had two siblings in show business: James Lackaye Jr. (1867–1919) and Helen Lackaye (1883–1940).
Career
He created the role of Svengali in the play Trilby in 1895 which he played on screen in 1915 opposite Clara Kimball Young. He enjoyed a lengthy and distinguished stage career before entering silent films in middle age. He was a distinctive-looking actor with large round eyes particularly effective when playing the scheming Svengali.
Death
Lackaye died at age 69 in New York City.