Sir Gerald du Maurier
| Sir Gerald du Maurier | |
|---|---|
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| Born |
Gerald Hubert Edward Busson du Maurier 26 March 1873 Hampstead, London, England, UK |
| Died | 11 April 1934 (aged 61) Hampstead, London, England, UK |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | pre-1900–1934 |
Sir Gerald Hubert Edward Busson du Maurier (26 March 1873 – 11 April 1934) was an English actor and manager. He was the son of the writer George du Maurier and brother of Sylvia Llewelyn Davies. In 1902, he married the actress Muriel Beaumont with whom he had three daughters: writers Angela du Maurier (1904–2002) and Daphne du Maurier (1907–1989), and painter Jeanne du Maurier (1911–1996). His popularity lay in his subtle and naturalistic acting: a "delicately realistic style of acting that sought to suggest rather than to state the deeper emotions". His Times obituary said of his career: "His parentage assured him of engagements in the best of company to begin with; but it was his own talent that took advantage of them."
Du Maurier was born in Hampstead, London, and attended Heath Mount School and Harrow School. He initially pursued a career in business, but it did not suit him, and he took to the stage. He obtained his first engagement, a small part in Sydney Grundy's An Old Jew, via his father's friend John Hare, manager of the Garrick Theatre.
After playing a number of small roles pre-1900, including an appearance in his father's popular drama Trilby with Herbert Beerbohm Tree in 1895, his popularity became assured via his acclaimed performance in major roles in the premieres of two J.M. Barrie plays: as Ernest in The Admirable Crichton in 1902, and the dual role of George Darling and Captain Hook (instead of Seymour Hicks, who had turned down the part) in Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up, at the Duke of York's Theatre, London, on 27 December 1904. He also appeared in other Barrie plays, including Dear Brutus.
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