Bijou Fernandez

Bijou Fernandez (born November 4, 1873? – November 7, 1961) was a Broadway actress from New York City.

Her theatrical career endured for seven decades, from the 1880s until the mid 20th century. She appeared in a few movies in the silent film era.

As a youth she was tutored in acting by Mrs. E.L. Fernandez, her mother, a noted dramatic agent.

Fernandez, at the age of thirteen, was described in a review as bright-eyed, slender, and fragile. Her voice and demeanor on stage were likened to an unaffected child. She was not exceedingly precocious as was Bijou Heron, who acted the role of Adrienne in Monsieur Alphonse, as a juvenile player.

She was a photographer's model known as the photograph queen in 1884. At the time she was under contract to Sarony to be photographed every day. For a May Blossom Picnic she wore a red check dress and danced in Central Park.

In August 1884 she acted nightly in May Blossom, with fellow youth actress Gracie Levard. The venue of the production was the Madison Square Theatre, located near Broadway (Manhattan), on 24th Street, behind the Fifth Avenue (Manhattan) Hotel. New scenery was painted when May Blossom moved to Niblo's Garden in February 1885. Fernandez played the part of Little May.

She depicted Adriana, wife to Antipholus of Ephesus when A Comedy of Errors was staged at the Star Theatre, Broadway & 13th Street, in September 1885. The work of William Shakespeare was directed by Joseph Brooks. The following November Uncle Tom's Cabin was presented by the Third Avenue (Manhattan) Theatre. Fernandez performed the role of Eva. Mr. and Mrs. G.C. Howard whose daughter had been the original Eva, acted the characters of Topsy and St. Clair. The couple had been identified with the production of the novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe for over thirty years.

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