Toby Claude facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Toby Claude
|
|
|---|---|
Claude c.1904
|
|
| Born |
Harriette Mary Kavanagh
January 29, 1877 |
| Died | October 27, 1962 (aged 85) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
|
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1900–1929 |
| Spouse(s) | William P. Carleton (divorced 1903) |
Toby Claude was an Irish actress and singer. She was born Harriette Mary Kavanagh on January 29, 1877. She performed in vaudeville shows, on the Broadway stage, and in silent movies. Toby Claude passed away on October 27, 1962.
Contents
Early Life and Nickname
Harriette Mary Kavanagh was born in Dublin, Ireland. Her father, Richard Kavanaugh, was Irish. Her mother, Angelina Claude, was an English actress. Harriette started using the nickname "Toby" when she was a young girl. She got the name from a dog she saw on the cover of a magazine called Punch.
Toby Claude's Acting Career
Toby Claude had many roles on stage. She appeared in popular shows like The Belle of New York in 1900. Other plays she acted in included The Cadet Girl (1900) and Floradora (1902). She also performed in The Belle of Broadway (1902) and The Baroness Fiddlesticks (1904).
People often noticed her short height. She was less than five feet tall. One writer in 1904 said she was "almost sufficiently diminutive to rank as an eccentric Lilliputian." This means she was very small, like a tiny person from the land of Lilliput.
Vaudeville and Touring
Toby Claude was also famous for her vaudeville acts. Vaudeville was a type of entertainment with many different short performances. These could include singers, dancers, comedians, and more. Toby Claude would sing popular songs during her acts. In 1910, she traveled far from home. She toured places like Hawaii and Australia, performing for audiences there.
Helping During World War I
During World War I, Toby Claude used her fame to help her country. She took part in events that encouraged people to join the military. This was an important way for public figures to support the war effort.
Silent Films
Later in her career, Toby Claude acted in silent films. These movies had no spoken dialogue. Actors used their expressions and body language to tell the story. She appeared in five silent films:
- Lost: A Wife (1925) - This movie is now lost.
- The Clinging Vine (1926)
- For Alimony Only (1926)
- No Control (1927)
- Turkish Delight (1927)
In 1929, Toby Claude helped create the Actors Theater in Los Angeles. This group was formed by actors who wanted to work together.
Personal Life
Toby Claude was married to another actor named William P. Carleton. They later divorced in 1903. She passed away on October 27, 1962, in Los Angeles, California, USA.
