534 BC The first actor in a written play
Say kids, ever wondered why actors are called “thespians”? Sure you did. It’s because the earliest known person to appear on a stage speaking lines written for him in the character of another was Thespis of Icaria. By stepping out from the traditional chorus and as a soloist and wearing masks that allowed him to portray different characters, Thespis essentially invented Greek drama at the Athenian festival to Dionysos in 534 BC. He also invented the theatrical tour, taking his show on the road with his props and costumes in a wagon.
Other notable thespians associated with November 23 are
Boris Karloff, né William Henry Pratt, and best known as the original film Frankenstein, was born on this day in 1887 in London. He began his theatrical career in Canada before achieving fame in Hollywood.
The next year saw the birth of Adolph Marx, better known as Harpo, the silent Marx Brother.
To the list we can add Victor Joy (b. 1902), Susan Anspach (b. 1942), Diana Quick (b. 1946), and Namthip Jongrachatawiboon (b. 1982)
Departing this vale of tears on November 23 was the unspeakably lovely Merle Oberon (d. 1979).
Rather shocking to think that Karloff and Harpo are virtually the same age….
Harpo passed away much earlier than Karloff who, despite ill-health, was active until the very end. In fact, if was probably the strain of making The Curse of the Crimson Alter, with Christopher Lee, that hastened his death.
And the saddest thing about that fact, is the fact that I know that off-hand….
Karloff began his stage career in Canada after dropping out of my alma mater King’s College, London. He married 6 times but had only 1 child.
Believe it or not, I know Sarah Karloff — she is very funny and sweet. Though, she has never (or… almost never) seen any of her father’s horror films. She’s afraid!
That’s a great celebrity link. I have no such connections to boast about. I think the closest I ever came to fame was almost being run down by the Queen Mother’s limo when it roared out of St James’ Palace. No, tell a fib. I was at a Buckingham Palace garden party with thousands of other guests — saw the Queen, Prince Philip, and the Archbishop of Canterbury. They neglected the opportunity to meet me in person, the fools.