Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-06-03
ACTORS AND THEIR WAGE.
Some Play ers Win Fortune yet Die
in Poverty.

Some Play ers Win Fortune yet Die
in Poverty.
Although stars are in many respects
to be envied, facts prove that the aver
age actor is not so fortunate an la-
dividual as is popularity supposed. He
makes $35 or $40 a week for thirty
five weeks If the season is a success
full one, but he ought to wear good
clothes and live at flrst-class hotels,
so that summer finds him lily pre-
pared, and he is idle for a long time
with little 10 live on. There are few
actors who are so much in demand
that they can make contracts for the
entire season. They are nearly al
ways subject to the two-weeks' clause.
Stars, however, are engaged for a
term Of years. Only players who have
made hits receive large salaries. and
stars spend their earnings in proper
ton. Popular stars range in salary
from $500 to $1,000 per week, with
part of the profits Maude Adams is
said 10 have earned not less than
$50. 900 a year since her first season
in The Little Minister" It is said
that she received at that time salary
OF $500 a week, with so per cent o.
the profits This has been increaseE
since. Before Mrs. Carter left Belasc6
ner salary reached the thousand mara
with a percentage Mrs. Flske draws
a large salary. other prominent wo-
men stars fare as well, for they are
more in demand than are men, whose
prices do not reach such high figure.
The average male star draws $500
week and a percentage Of the profits,
while a mere leading woman win Of
ten get almost as much.
The actor loves to spend money.
and he thinks nothing of investing
few thousands in automobiles. yachts.
and other pleasures. There are a few
members of the profession, however.
who give serious thought to old age.
Lolita Is said TO be a millionairess
Maggie Mitchell owns high sections OF
real estate Modjeska made fortune
api spent 1t In taking care OF persons
In the west who were needy. She
once owned an extensive raIch. Tut
this was sold in her time of need Sol
Smith Russell, at the time o. his
death, was considered the richest actor
ON the stage. He invested his money
In real estate In st. Paul and Mime
apolis, and afterward sold his prop
erty and reinvested the money In
houses and lands in Washington. He
was a man of simple habits. Joseph
Jefferson was another man who saved
his money, and left his family in COM
Portable circumstances. Mr.. Jeffer~
son supported no Injuries. Mary Trivia
owns a beautiful place on the st. Law
renee river Julia Marlowe, before
she went to London, was pronounced
the richest actress on the stage today.
Miss Marlowe dresses well but she
does not frftter away her earnings,
most of which are carefully invested.
Mrs. Leslie Carter. on the contrary,
Is woman Of such extravagant habits
that. out of the enormous salary and
percentage which have been hers Tor
some years past, 1t Is generally be-
lieved that she has saved nothing.
Viola Allen, Billie Burke and Maxine
Elliott are other wealthy women.
Margaret Anglln has of late begun TO
add her name to the list Of rich wo-
men. Judging from the financial
standing of so many Of the present
popular stars, actors and actresses are
lsarnig the seriousness of a poverty
stricken old age
Janauschek was a terrible lesson In
her latter years. Augustin DAILY, who
was supposed to have made quantities
Of money. died possessed of very ut
tie. A few books, contracts for music
al comedies in London. and his inter-
ets In Days London theater proved TO
be all he had. A. NJ Palmer and Les.
ter Wallack both died penniless. Rich.
ard Mansfield, who was supposed to
be immensely wealthy, left nothing
like as large a sum as had been ex-
pected.
The majority OF stars today are
thoughtful enough to provide homes
for themselves, even II they save no.
thing more. Francis Wilson has a
fine house and a large reserve fund.
Lulu CHASER. Blanche Bates, Amelia
Bingham. Maxine Elliott, Annie Rus.
sell, Dustin Farnum, Robert Edeson.
Otis Skinner. Louis James, E. II. Soth-
ern, James X. Hackett, Maude Adams,
all own their homes, some of which
are in New York. while others are in
the mountains or at the seashore.