William Bullock (actor) facts for kids

William Bullock (born around 1657, died around 1740) was a famous English actor. People said he was full of joy and very funny on stage. He performed in all the main theatres in London during his time. In the summer, he even had a special acting booth at a big event called Bartholomew Fair.

William Bullock's Acting Career

William Bullock first started acting around 1695. His name is mentioned in an old book about actors called "Roscius Anglicanus."

One of his first big roles was playing Sly in a play called "Love's Last Shift" in 1696. This play was put on by two theatre groups working together at Drury Lane and Dorset Garden theatres.

Famous Roles and Theatres

Bullock became well-known for creating many original characters. This means he was the first actor to play these parts. Some of his famous roles included:

• Sir Tunbelly Clumsy in "The Relapse" (1697)
• Soto in She Would and She Would Not (1702)
• Clincher in Farquhar's The Constant Couple (1699)
• Boniface in The Beaux' Stratagem (1707)
• Jemmy Twitcher in the first show of The Beggar's Opera (1728)

He also acted in many plays by famous writers like John Dryden, William Wycherley, and Thomas Shadwell.

Bullock performed at several important London theatres. He spent many years at Drury Lane Theatre. He also acted at the Haymarket Theatre and Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre. He stayed at Lincoln's Inn Fields until about 1726.

Later Life and Performances

For a long time, people thought William Bullock died in 1733. However, he actually performed again several years later!

In 1739, he had a special show at Covent Garden Theatre. He told the audience it was his first time on stage in six years. He was over 72 years old at the time. He asked the audience to be understanding because of his age. He played the character Dominic in a play called "Spanish Fryar."

He performed again later that year. He also had his own acting booth at Bartholomew Fair during the summer. After 1739, there are no more records of him acting. He likely passed away around 1740.

William Bullock's Family

William Bullock had three sons, and all of them became actors, just like their father.

Christopher Bullock, Actor and Writer

His oldest son was Christopher Bullock (born around 1690, died 1724). Christopher was a very talented actor. He could play many different kinds of roles. He performed at Drury Lane, the Haymarket, and Lincoln's Inn Fields theatres.

Christopher also wrote or adapted several plays himself. He even created some of the main characters in his own plays. Some of his works include:

• A Woman's Revenge (1715)
• Adventures of Half an Hour (1716)
• The Cobbler of Preston (1717)
• The Traitor (1718)