Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-09

acted his way from an inconspicuous
beginning to q position as one of the
outstanding figure of the theatrical
world and was regarded by many as
the leading exponent of polite comedy,
classical and modern.
Mr. Drew's inclination to a stage
career was a heritage from his
parents, both of whom were players
of note His father, also named John
Drew. was an Irish comedian of great
talent and ability and in the delinea-
ton of Irish characters was uneX-
Celled. His mother, Louisa Lane
Drew, was regarded as one of the most
versatile actresses on the American
stage.
In addition to their famous son. the
couple had n daughter, Georgia Drew,
who had a successful stage career
and who became the wife of Maurice
Barrymore Their children, Ethel,
John and Lionel Barrymore, all be-
came stars of the stage.
When John Drew reached the age
of % his mother. who had personally
directed his preparation for a stage
career, was manager of the Arch
Street Theater. Philadelphia. That
made it rather easy for the young
man to get a start.
Created Many Roles.
1t was not long after. however. that
Mr.. DreW'S strong histrionic instinct
began to show in his work and he eX-
hibited versatile ability similar to that
which marked his mothers career.
identifying himself thoroughly with
a great variety of characters.
Throughout his career of more than
80 years he was credited with having
cteated more roles and impersonated
more characters than any other player
of note on the American stage.
Mr.. Drew's real climb to fame be-
gan when he placed himself under
the management of Augustin Daily
and made his New York debut at the
Fifth Avenue Theater as Bob Rug
giles in THE Big Bonanza" In that
play Fanny Davenport, famous
stage beauty. was the leading lady,
There followed two years of constant
plugging for recognition, after which
he joined Edwin Booths company and
played a long succession of secondary
roles in Shakespearean plays. He also
appeared with Clara Morris in Leah,
the Forsaken."
During the season of 1S7S-79 Mr..
Drew toured the country with his
brother-in-law, Maurice Barrymore,
in Diplomacy" and afterward re-
turned to Days Theater, remaining
under the management of Mr.. Daily
until 1892. With Ada Rehan as lead
ing lady he played in a number of
successes including Divorce" Love
on Clutches" THE Great Unknown"
THE Second in Command and
Loves Labor Lost" AS a member
of Daily companies he played engage
ments in London in 1884, 1856 and
1888.
Starred With Maude Adams.
While Mr.. Drew had been the lead
ing man of the DAILY companies for
several years, his first opportunity as
a star came from Charles Frohman
in 1.-The Masked Ball" in 1892, his
success in that play being shared by
Maude Adams. He continued under
Mr.. Frohman's management until 1915
and appeared in a new play regu-
larly each season on Broadway. In
several of them he toured the princi-
pal cities of the United States.
Some of the vehicles in which Mr..
Drew achieved fame were Rose
mary" "A Marriage of Convenience"
The Mummy and the Hummingbird,
Jack Straw" and "A Single Man"
One of his favorite characters was
Petruchio in THE Tanning of the
Shrew." Among the most notable of
his latter day successes We're Major
1.-The Gay Lord Quex"
and THE Cat Bird"
John Drew was born at PhiladeI.
phia, November Is, 1853 He was
educated in private schools and the
Academy, Philadelphia,
at the latter institution I'M
til he was ready to make his stage
debut. In 1880 he married Josephine
Baker, an actress of Philadelphia.
She died in 1918. They had one
daughter, Louise Drew, who gained
on the stage
Mr.. Drew's home was at East Hamn-
ton, Long Island. He was an expert
tennis player, fencer and swimmer
and his favorite recreations were
horseback riding and fox hunting.