James K. Hackett, Actor/Manager

James Keteltas Hackett, was born on Wolfe Island, Ontario, Canada, September 6, 1869. His father, James Henry Hackett, was a famous American actor, and his mother, Clara C. Hackett, a popular actress. The elder Hackett died when James K. was only two years old. The boy inherited a desire for the stage, and when he was seven years old recited Shakespeare's "Seven Ages" in public. As a youth Mr. Hackett became well known as a clever amateur actor, and he was the leading spirit in the theatricals at the College of the City of New York, from which he was graduated in 1891. For less than a year he studied law. Then he became an actor, making his first professional appear ance in the part of Francois in "The Broken Seal" with A. M. Palmer's stock company at the Park Theatre, Philadelphia, March 28, 1892. After a short season as leading man with Lotta, Mr. Hackett joined Augustin Daly's company, but left it to star during the season of 1893-4 in "The Private Secretary," "The Arabian Nights," and "Mixed Pickles." He next became leading man in the Queen's Theatre (Montreal) Stock Company, where he played in "Heart and Hand," "Snowball," " American Money" and other comedies. On January 14, 1895, he played the Count de Neipperg in the production of "Madame Sans Gene" at the Broadway Theatre, New York. He also appeared the same year in support of Mrs. James Brown Potter and Kyrle Bellew. Mr. Hackett joined Daniel Frohman's Lyceum Theatre company in November, 1895, making his first appearance as Morris Lecalle in "The Home Secretary." On the resignation of Herbet Kelcey Mr. Hackett became leading man of the company, opening as such with the revival, on February 10, 1896, of "The Prisoner of Zenda." On November 23 of the same year Mr. Hackett played Bruce Leslie in "The Courtship of Leonie," in which Mary Mannering, an English actress, made her first appearance in America. She became Mr. Hackett's wife May 2, 1897. With the Lyceum company Mr. Hackett played Captain Trefuss in "The Late Mr. Castello," the Prince of Wales in "The First Gentleman of Europe," Lord Cervasse Carew in "The Mayflower," George Lamorant in "The Princess and the Butterfly ," and Nigel Stanyon in "The Tree of Knowledge." He began a starring tour in the latter play, but abandoned it after his production of "Rupert of Hentzau" in Philadelphia November 21, 1898. His next production as a star was "The Pride of Jennico." The season of 1905-6 he produced "The Walls of Jericho," by Alfred Sutro at the Savoy Theatre, he being the leading man and his wife the leading woman. It proved to be one of his most successful ventures. Mr. Hackett secured for the season of 1907-8 Alfred Sutro's"John Glayde's Honour," one of the big London successes. During the preceding few years, as the Syndicate lost it's grip on the theatre scene, Mr. Hackett had gone into management on a large scale on his own, and by 1908, he was one of the most active producing actor-rnanagers in America. In addition to the direction of his own tour, the Hackett Theatre, New York, was under his sole management. Mr. Hackett controls the American rights of the English musical comedy success, "The Girl Behind the Counter." He was a member of The Players, The Lambs, New York Athletic, Canadian Camp, and Alpha Delta Phi clubs. His office was at 1215 Broadway, his home 38 East Thirty-third street, New York.