Julia Marlowe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Julia Marlowe
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![]() Julia Marlowe in Colinette (1899)
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Born |
Sarah Frances Frost
August 17, 1865 |
Died | November 12, 1950 New York City, US
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(aged 85)
Occupation | Stage actress |
Spouse(s) | Robert Taber (1894–1900) E. H. Sothern (1911–1933; his death) |
Julia Marlowe (born Sarah Frances Frost; August 17, 1865 – November 12, 1950) was a famous actress. She was born in England but became an American citizen. Julia Marlowe was especially known for her amazing performances in plays by William Shakespeare.
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Julia Marlowe's Early Life and Career
Julia Marlowe was born Sarah Frances Frost in Caldbeck, Cumberland, England. Her father was a shoemaker. When she was four years old, her family moved to the United States in 1870. They first lived in Kansas before moving to Portsmouth, Ohio, and then to Cincinnati.
Starting Out as an Actress
As a teenager, Julia, who was nicknamed "Fanny," began her acting career. She joined a children's opera company. For almost a year, she toured with the company. They performed in a popular show called H.M.S. Pinafore. She even got a special part as Sir Joseph Porter. Later, she acted in another play called Pygmalion and Galatea.
Julia's early success was greatly helped by Ada Dow, who was the sister-in-law of her manager. In Cincinnati, Fanny took on her first Shakespearean roles. She played Balthazar in Romeo and Juliet and Maria in Twelfth Night. At this time, she was known as Fanny Brough.
Becoming Julia Marlowe
Ada Dow then took Fanny to New York. There, Fanny received special voice training for several years. After her training, she changed her name to Julia Marlowe. She wanted to act in Shakespearean plays, but it was hard to get roles as an unknown actress.
Her former manager, Colonel Miles, gave her a chance. He was now in charge of the New York Bijou Opera House. He arranged for her to perform for two weeks in New England. This helped Julia build up her list of plays she could perform. On October 20, 1887, her mother rented the Bijou Theatre for a special afternoon show. Julia performed in a play called Ingomar the Barbarian. She received great praise, which helped her get roles on Broadway.
In 1891, Julia became very sick with typhoid fever while touring. A newspaper owner and his wife helped her recover. Doctors considered a risky procedure, but a different treatment saved her face. This was very important for her acting career. If not for this, she might not have become a leading Shakespearean actress.
Broadway Success and Marriage
Julia Marlowe made her Broadway debut in 1895. She went on to appear in over seventy Broadway shows. With the money from her first big success, she bought a large house in New York City.
Her first husband was actor Robert Taber. They were married from 1894 to 1900. Many people said Julia often put Robert's career before her own. However, professional disagreements led to their divorce in 1900.
In 1901, Julia starred as Mary Tudor in a play called When Knighthood Was in Flower. This play was a huge hit! It made Julia financially independent. She had other successful plays too, like The Cavalier and Ingomar, both in 1903. Critics praised her performances. One newspaper wrote that no other actress in America or England was as good as her.
Working with E. H. Sothern
In 1904, Julia Marlowe began a very successful partnership with another actor, E. H. Sothern. They started by playing the main characters in Romeo and Juliet. They also played Beatrice and Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing, and the lead roles in Hamlet. They toured all over the United States with these plays. In 1905, they added The Taming of the Shrew, The Merchant of Venice, and Twelfth Night to their shows.
They were not happy with how much money they were getting from their manager. So, they decided to work with the Shubert Brothers instead. This way, they earned a percentage of the profits. In 1906, Julia and Sothern performed in other plays. These included Jeanne d'Arc, John the Baptist, and The Sunken Bell. They received good reviews for these performances.

After more touring in the U.S., Sothern, Marlowe, and their company went to London. However, they did not attract many audiences in England. So, they returned to America after one season. Back in the U.S., they offered Shakespeare plays at lower prices. This allowed more people to see their amazing productions.
For a time, Julia and Sothern formed separate acting companies. Julia performed in plays like Gloria, Romeo and Juliet, and As You Like It. In 1908, she played Yvette in The Goddess of Reason.
At the end of 1909, Sothern and Marlowe reunited for Antony and Cleopatra. In 1910, they toured with Macbeth. This production was very popular and became a hit in New York.
They continued to tour with their Shakespearean plays. They even put on special shows for schoolchildren. Julia Marlowe and E. H. Sothern got married in 1911. The couple made eleven phonograph recordings between 1920 and 1921. These recordings are likely the only way to hear Julia Marlowe's voice today.
After more touring, they brought their production of The Merchant of Venice to New York in 1921. Soon after, Julia's health began to decline. She retired from acting in 1924. After Sothern passed away in 1933, Julia became quite private. She sometimes visited close friends. In 1923, she received an honorary degree from George Washington University. She received another one in 1943 from Columbia University.
Julia Marlowe's Beliefs
Julia Marlowe was a strong supporter of women's rights. She actively worked for women to gain the right to vote. This was an important cause for her.
Later Years and Passing
Julia Marlowe passed away in New York City in 1950. She was 85 years old. She did not have any children.
Images for kids
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Julia Marlowe - DPLA - a7a98bf04ba43d5ec728847716d7e3c4 (page 1).jpg
Julia Marlowe, around 1877-1895