Jane Connelly
Jane Connelly | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Ida Dora Belle Tenney May 2, 1883 Port Huron, Michigan, U.S. |
| Died | October 25, 1925 (aged 42) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1907–1925 |
| Spouse | Erwin Connelly |
Jane Connelly (born Ida Dora Belle Tenney; May 2, 1883 – October 25, 1925) was an American stage and silent film actress. She was best known for her vaudeville work alongside her husband, Erwin Connelly, and for her role in The Man from Beyond (1922) with Harry Houdini.
Early life and stage career
[edit]Jane Connelly was born in Port Huron, Michigan. She and her husband Erwin Connelly began performing in vaudeville around 1907 gaining popularity in the vaudeville circuit. The couple built a solid reputation in theatrical circles over the course of nearly two decades.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
One of their notable performances was in the play The Tale of a Shirtwhere Jane played a dreamy laundress and Erwin portrayed a kind-hearted character who captured her affections. They performed this play from 1919 until the early death of Jane Connelly in 1925.[7][8][9][10]
Transition to film
[edit]After their successful stage career, they both moved to Los Angeles. Jane and Erwin Connelly signed contracts with Metro and Universal Studios, and started appearing together (but not as a duo) in films. In The Man from Beyond with and produce by Houdini whom they knew well from the vaudeville days and in Keaton’s Sherlock Jr.
While Erwin Connelly primarily focused his career on films after 1923, Jane remained active on the Orphean vaudeville circuit, performing either solo[11] or occasionally alongside her husband[12] in their once-successful act, "Tale of a Shirt."
Jane died prematurely at 42 on October 25, 1925,”as a result of a nervous breakdown”[13] bringing an end to their longstanding artistic partnership. Erwin Connelly continued his acting career in films until his own premature death in 1931 at 53.
Filmography
[edit]- The Man from Beyond (1922) as Felice Strange/Felice Norcross
- Sherlock Jr. (1924) as The Mother
References
[edit]- ^ "Jane Connelly & Players in Temple Theater Program". Archive.org. October 22, 1917. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
- ^ "Erwin and Jane Connelly in "Sweetheart"". Variety. June 24, 1911. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
- ^ "Erwin and Jane Connelly announced in Proctor's Theater". Bloomfield NJ Citizen. 1905–1912. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
- ^ "Erwin and Jane Connelly in New Orpheum Theater". Labor Clarion. 1910. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
- ^ "Erwin and jane Connelly to play in Fifth Avenue". Variety. June 17, 1911. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
- ^ "Erwin and Jane Connelly presenting "Sweethart"". Fort Wayne Sentinel. May 4, 1907. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
- ^ "Erwin and Jane Connelly Performance". Vaudeville America. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
- ^ "Tale of a Shirt in Oakland Tribune – October 31, 1922". Archive.org. Oakland Tribune. October 31, 1922. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
- ^ "Tale of a Shirt Mention in The New York Dramatic Mirror – December 4, 1920". Archive.org. The New York Dramatic Mirror. December 4, 1920. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
- ^ "Tale of a Shirt Mention in The New York Clipper – March 1923". Archive.org. The New York Clipper. March 1923. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
- ^ "Jane Connelly Mention in The New York Clipper – June 6, 1923". Archive.org. The New York Clipper. June 6, 1923. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
- ^ "Jane Connelly Mention in San Francisco Newsletter". Archive.org. San Francisco Newsletter. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
- ^ "Jane Connelly Obituary". Variety. October 1925. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
External links
[edit]- Jane Connelly at IMDb
- Jane Connelly at the American Film Institute Catalog
- Erwin and Jane Connelly at Vaudeville America