John Mills (stage actor) facts for kids
John Mills (born around 1670, died 1736) was a famous British stage actor. He was a very important part of the Drury Lane acting company in London. He worked there from 1695 until he passed away.
John Mills was known for acting in both funny plays (called comedies) and serious plays (called tragedies). His wife, Margaret Mills, was also an actress. His son, William Mills, followed in his footsteps and became an actor at Drury Lane too.
He was good friends with Richard Steele, a well-known writer, and Robert Wilks, who was a lead actor and manager at Drury Lane. John Mills often performed on stage with Robert Wilks. John Mills died on December 17, 1736. Just thirteen days before, he had performed his very last role as the King in the play Henry IV, Part 2.
What Was Acting Like in John Mills' Time?
In the late 1600s and early 1700s, going to the theatre was a very popular way to spend time. Plays were a big part of entertainment, much like movies or TV shows are today. Actors like John Mills were well-known public figures. They performed in grand theatres like Drury Lane, which was one of the most important stages in London.
Actors had to be very versatile. This means they could play many different kinds of characters. John Mills was good at both comedy, which made people laugh, and tragedy, which made people feel sad or serious. This skill helped him have a long and successful career.
Some of John Mills' Famous Roles
John Mills played many different characters during his long career. He was known for taking on a wide variety of roles in popular plays of his time. Here are a few examples of the characters he brought to life on stage:
- Pedro in Agnes de Castro (1695)
- Lovewell in Love and a Bottle (1698)
- Vizard in The Constant Couple (1699)
- Charles in The Busie Body (1709)
- Sempronius in Cato (1713)
- Bellmour in Jane Shore (1714)
- Colonel Woodvill in The Non-Juror (1717)
- Sir John Bevil in The Conscious Lovers (1722)
- Manly in The Provoked Husband (1728)
- The King in Henry IV, Part 2 (1736) - his final role
These roles show how John Mills was a busy and important actor in his time. He worked with many famous playwrights and actors, helping to create the theatre world of 18th-century Britain.
