George L. Fox (clown) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George L. Fox
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Library of Congress
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| Born | July 3, 1825 Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.A. |
| Died | October 24, 1877 (aged 52) Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.A. |
| Occupation | Comedian and Pantomime Artist |
| Years active | 1830–1877 |
George Washington Lafayette Fox (born July 3, 1825 – died October 24, 1877) was a famous American actor and dancer. He was best known for playing funny Clown characters. He got his ideas for these roles from another famous performer named Joseph Grimaldi.
Contents
Early Life and Family
George Fox was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was the first child of George Howe and Emily Fox. His parents were actors at the Tremont Street Theatre in Boston. George, who was nicknamed Laff, and his five brothers and sisters often played child roles in plays.
George first performed on stage when he was just five years old. Later, his younger brothers, Charles and James, and his sister Caroline, were thought to be more talented. James and Caroline became popular child actors in Boston. George's parents decided it would be better for him to learn a trade. So, they sent him to become an apprentice with a local merchant.
Family's Impact on Theater
George's brother James kept acting for some years. He even studied at Harvard Law School. Later, James became a successful lawyer and served as mayor of Cambridge four times.
His sister Caroline married an actor named George C. Howard. Their marriage had a big impact on American theater. In 1852, George C. Howard asked Caroline's cousin, George L. Aiken, to write a play based on the anti-slavery book Uncle Tom's Cabin. This play became very popular. It helped people understand the cruelty of slavery and supported the movement to end it.
Becoming a Star Performer
By the time George Fox was twenty, his apprenticeship didn't work out. He decided to return to acting, like his family. For a while, he toured with his sister Caroline and her husband George C. Howard. He played small acting and comedy roles.
In 1850, he left their group to try being a low comedian at the National Theatre in Bowery, New York. This is where he truly found his calling. He became a very popular performer over the next seven years. For the rest of his career, Fox mainly performed in theaters that served working-class audiences.
Directing Uncle Tom's Cabin
In 1853, Fox directed and acted in a play version of Uncle Tom's Cabin. This famous anti-slavery novel was written by Harriet Beecher Stowe. The play was written by his cousin, George Aiken. It had been performed the year before by his brother-in-law's company.
The cast at the National Theatre included many of his family members. Fox played Phineas Fletcher. His brother Charles played Gumption Cute. His brother-in-law George C. Howard played Augustine St. Clair. His sister Caroline played Eva St. Clair.
Pantomime and Clown Roles
George Fox was inspired by the famous Ravel Brothers to try pantomime. This is a type of musical theater from Britain. He made pantomime very popular in New York City. He performed it first at the National Theatre and later at the New Bowery Theatre. For a time, he even managed the New Bowery Theatre with James R. Lingard.
Fox worked with many talented comedians and acrobats. His brother, Charles Kemble Fox, became a popular actor and a pantomime Clown. Although theater critics didn't always give him enough credit, Fox was incredibly popular in burlesque shows. Some people even compared his popularity to that of Edwin Booth playing Hamlet. Fox also played Hamlet, but in a much funnier way!
Serving in the Civil War
When the American Civil War began, George Fox joined the army. He became a lieutenant in the Eighth New York Infantry. He rose to the rank of major. He fought in the First Battle of Bull Run before leaving the army in August 1861.
Later Career and Challenges
After the war, Fox returned to acting in pantomime roles for audiences in the Lower East Side. A fire forced him out of the New Bowery Theatre. This theater had many fires over the years. He also had disagreements with his business partner, Lingard, which led to legal issues.
In 1866, Fox became the stage manager at the Olympic Theatre. There, he played Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream. Starting in 1868, he began playing his most famous role: the Clown in a pantomime version of Humpty Dumpty. He helped write this show. It was the first American pantomime to be performed in two acts. Some people believe it has never been matched since!
During the last ten years of his life, Fox had great artistic success. However, he also faced money problems. As a manager, he sometimes spent too much money on new shows. This meant that even popular shows didn't always make a lot of profit. He also faced competition from younger performers. They were putting on more amazing shows each season. Plus, he had a business partner who made promises he couldn't keep.
Final Years and Legacy
George Fox's health started to get worse in 1875. This was after an accident on stage where he broke his nose and hurt an eye nerve. Over the next few months, his behavior became unusual. This worried people about his mental health. Soon after, he had a series of strokes. These eventually led to his death at age 52.
At the time of his death, he was being cared for by his sister and brother-in-law in Cambridge. George Fox's daughter, Louisa A. Fox, later married Daniel Sully. He was a stage actor who had been a circus performer when he was young.
Tribute to George L. Fox
The famous performer Bill Irwin honored George L. Fox with a stage show. It was called Mr. Fox: A Rumination. This show first opened in 2004 at the Signature Theatre.
See also
In Spanish: George L. Fox (payaso) para niños
