Edith King

Edith King (1896–1973) was an American stage and film actress.

For the American painter, see Edith L. King. For the South African painter, see Edith Louise Mary King.

Biography

Edith King was born Edith Keck, daughter of John Keck, in White Haven, Pennsylvania in 1896.[1][2] She first visited a theater when she was 14, and decided then to pursue an acting career.[3] She moved to New York City at a young age and promptly arranged a meeting with David Belasco, who gave her a part in his current play, Marie Odile.[3]

In later life, King lived in Kendall Park, New Jersey, where she owned a small gift shop while continuing her acting career.[2] In 1972 King moved from Riviera Beach to Daytona Beach, where she died on February 24, 1973.[1]

Career

King was known as a stage and film actress, with a career spanning over 50 years (from roughly 1916 to 1964).[1][4] Before her stage career took off, she was an artist's model, working with Howard Chandler Christy for several of his paintings and illustrations.[3] She appeared in theatrical productions such as Bab (playing the older sister of Helen Hayes's main character)[5] and Thank You,[6] and films such as Saratoga.[7] She worked with Alfred Lunt and his wife in several productions, including The Seagull (as Polina) and The Taming of the Shrew (as the minor characters Curtis and the widow).[4]

She played Bianca in Paul Robeson's 1943 production of Othello before taking over the role of Emilia in 1944 (replacing Margaret Webster).[8][9]

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1946CalcuttaMrs. Smith
1947Blaze of NoonMrs. Murphy
1948The Gallant BladeMme. Chauvignac
1948Belle Starr's DaughterMrs. Allen
1953Girl on the RunLil

References
  1. "Deaths: Edith King". Daytona Beach Sunday News-Journal. February 25, 1973. p. 8C. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  2. "Native Plays Broadway Role". Plain Speaker. January 4, 1960. p. 10.
  3. "Edith Was a Girl of 14 Before She Saw a Theater: Now She'd Rather Be Known as an Actress Than a Mere Artist's Model". Washington Herald. February 26, 1921. p. 1. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  4. Senelick, Laurence (2013). Theatre Arts on Acting. Routledge. p. 455. ISBN 9780415774925.
  5. "Mr. Hornblow Goes to the Play". Theatre Magazine. XXXIII (238): 33. January 1921. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  6. "For Boudoir Tea and Promenade". Washington Herald. January 22, 1922. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  7. Green, Stanley (1960). The world of musical comedy. A.S. Barnes & Co. p. 361. hdl:2027/uc1.32106007510941.
  8. Nathan, George Jean (1972). Theatre Book of the Year 1943-44. Fairleigh Dickinson. p. 90. ISBN 978-0838679623.
  9. Swindall, Lindsey R. The Politics of Paul Robeson's Othello. University Press of Mississippi. p. 100. ISBN 9781604738247.
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