The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-12-27
James william waIiacn, sr.

James W. wahack, 81, the popular and manager
OF wallack theatre died at bis residence Fourteenth
street, near Third avenue, eaay on Sunday morning.
Mr. Wallack had been suffering for several years from
complicated Of diseases among which govt aud asthma
most prominent and only naturally strong consti
sutton aad the most able and careful medical attendance
have enabled him survive lone. Several times
within ths past fosr years be announced ~ the
point u DEATH but he rallied with unequal vgor after
every attack, and ressned strength from brec.ss
his Long Branch villa HIS decsase cannot be called
unexpected but s II shocks the whole theatrical CON-
0unity with mingled surprise and regret.
James william walack was born ia L ladon, England,
on the Goth OF August, l796. He consequently Ia
nh seventisth year when no died He came OF the
asrica family. William wallack, hs father, was =
comedian and vocalist OF considerable repuat His
another, Elizabeth Field played with Gsrrck He began
hs public career At very early ago. 10 l7sS, whoa
about four years old, be made his appearance
fairy piece At the Royal Circus Three Iour years
later be performed regularly At juvenile theatre. where
Ingiisn and German children appeared slte pats
nghts. While acting thers he noticed BY sheridan,
who transferred him to Drury lane. HIS FIRST n.
peasanos at that establishment was In 1907, and
he played the part Of . little negro boy In =
pantomIns Afterwards he acted the CHI rscter OF Tneo
dors, In the Siege o. g. Qientip Steadily rising 10 his
pro sssou he remained Al Druy L,ne uot the destrac
Sion OF theatre by Ore, and then made short visit
20 Ireland.
In 1872 being about eighteen years OF Mr. wasck
returned 70 the Drury Lane theatre, AMI played
Iaertes Eistons Hamlet In 1915 he played Whford
with Kean, In the Iron Cpesi; Richmond to kcAo's
Richard Macdu 10 Kean's Macbeth, aud other such i'm
porant parts From this evident that he h,d already
attained very high rank among actors. In 1917 he Tell
In love with tho daughter Of Irish Johustone,' tho
famous comedian married her. and sloped to New York.
AnolAD rx sh~.t~
the 7h Of September 1915 the character Of Mscbh
During the he acted Hamlet, Rolla and
Other leading roles Of his sons, John Lester wal
lack the actor, born In this city In 1919. Az tho
close Of his engagement the Park Mr. waack starred
through the country realizing considerable and
greatly increasing his reputation In 1920 no reu ned
20 England and very cordially received. His reap
pearaucs at Drury Lane . success. His fame thus
established and his acting endorsed By tho best English
critics. he revisited this couutsy In 1922 and very
During this second visit, while travelling BY coach
surued by accident 81 New Brunswick New Jersey
and Mr. :S Va; Ssdy 10 I rss s s Ss
Veteran las he was pleasantly caledl although
mot observable when he 'rod the stage The people
agreeable recoNectons Of his society while no was
lying crippled Al their hotel As soon as he was sa
did NOT return aot In New York for nearly year aud
a halt. Upon his ventree at the Park acurious scene
assembled In overwhelming numbers TO express their
sympathy. He advertised TO appear In two plays,
and he hobbsd upon the stage on crutches In the
character Of Captain Bertram Gan old saor there were
audible expressions OF pity from the audience, who wsrc
moved with grief their favorite thus MANNED. The
play proceeded and the pity Of the audience grew deeper
and deeper. Al length Captain Bertrams troubles were
AND q. curtain SDos sns IL.
sators Mr.. wsllack came friskins about a. Dick
Dashsl, apparently as supple ss ever. Seldom
was coup de- hsdtfs-or more properly coup d. pied
80 cieveriy managed and successful. The theatre
resoundcd with repeated cheers and Mr. "aiacks reco
very most efectualY advertised
Again returning 10 England, after series OF starring
engagements here, MT walack became stage manager OF
Drury lane, under Ellistons management, sometimes
playing leading parts. We are not mistaken he wss
honored by invitations TO act the royal palace lie
belonged TO the Garrick Club, NJ which q Bne bus
Of him =: stu preserved, and was the friend q
In 1889 he again visited the United states, AID up
.dert6ak the management OF the Nstooai theatre
An this city The National burned down 1s4l and foi
Sso years after Mr.. walack continued 10 this
country and Great Britain. 10 1851 he decided TO
eide permanently 10 this country, over nearly every part
OF which he had travelled, finding friends every here
az be used frequently TO STATE His reminiscences OF
fhese travels always interesting, aud We resct tina
they have been published. Having formed ibi
decision, he leased his old theatre NOV the broadway
gn Broadway, Boone street. and conducted viii
unvnying success for many years Here he played hi
last engagement in 1852 appearing IN almost all ht
standard parts and IN adaptation called the veteran
THIS closed bis career AZ an actor
10 1860, observing the upward tendency OF the tasn
Acnabe world. Mr. Wslack proposed to remove hl
theatre 10 the new building on the corner OF Broadway
aud Thirteenth street. At the time this was regarded al
very bold enterprise and Yearly everybody predcte
s failure Mr.. Walack, however, proceeded TO erect
uultable ed6ce for toe accommodation u bis o. me
dams. The financial crisis OF that period materially
nterfered with his plans Capitalists would not ADJ anc
Hsaoey upon speculation considered so aoubuu
iset stepped forward al This juncture aud loaus