John Martin Harvey was an English actor who is best known for his performances in “The Only Way,” “A Tale of Two Cities,” and “The Burgomaster of Stilemonde.” He was born on June 22, 1863, in Wivenhoe, Essex, England, and passed away on May 14, 1944, in London, England.
Personal and Family Life
John Martin Harvey was married to Nell de Silva, and together they had two children. He was the father of actress Muriel Martin-Harvey and actor Michael Martin-Harvey. After receiving his knighthood in 1921, he began to hyphenate his name to Sir John Martin-Harvey, which helped to further establish his reputation in the acting community.
Career
Harvey began his acting career at the age of 19 at the Court Theatre in London and spent 14 years as part of Henry Irving’s company. He created his own adaptation of Charles Dickens’s “A Tale of Two Cities,” which became a significant success, allowing him to tour Canada and the United States. Despite having a strong career in the provinces, he struggled to gain the same recognition in London during his later years.
Death and Legacy
Sir John Martin-Harvey died just shy of his 81st birthday on May 14, 1944. He left a mixed legacy, remembered for his contributions to Victorian theatre and his role as a significant figure in early 20th-century drama, despite being overshadowed by other great actors of his time.
Filmography
| Title | Year | Role |
|---|---|---|
| The Lyons Mail | 1931 | Joseph Lesurques |
| The Burgomaster of Stilemonde | 1929 | Cyrille van Belle |
| The Only Way | 1925 | Sydney Carton |
| The Breed of the Treshams | 1920 | Lt. Rat Reresby |
| The Broken Melody | 1916 | Paul |
| A Cigarette-Maker’s Romance | 1913 | Count Skariartine |