Lumsden Hare (1875)

Hare Lumsden Hare

Distinguished Irish character actor of aristocratic or avuncular mien who appeared on stage from the age of 19. He had a penchant for appearing in plays by George Bernard Shaw (at first at London's Court Theatre and later on Broadway) and was an early interpreter of Dr. John Watson during an 1899 Australian tour of Sherlock Holmes. Hare was later prolific as actor-director on the New York stage, variously with the theatrical companies of Charles Frohman and William A. Brady between 1900 and 1928. He entered films in 1916 as leading man to some of the noted stars of the stage, among them Billie Burke, Janet Beecher and Ethel Barrymore. As he grew older (and with the coming of sound) he graduated to character portrayals of high ranking military officers, inspectors, lords and royalty. Hare spent pretty much the remainder of his lengthy career free-lancing in Hollywood, content with ever-diminishing roles right up until his retirement in 1961.