Eugenie Blair
Eugenie A. Blair (1864 – May 13, 1922) was an American stage actress best remembered for originating the role of Marthy Owen in the premiere 1921 Broadway presentation of Eugene O'Neill's play Anna Christie. Blair died moments after walking offstage at the Cort Theatre in Chicago during her performance as Anna Christie, which she chose to carry out in spite of not feeling well that evening. She was survived by a daughter, the actress Eleanor Montell.[1] Blair had been married to Shakespearean actor Robert L. Downing, her second husband. Blair's Broadway appearances were sporadic until towards the end of her life. She toured extensively in her youth.
Eugenie Blair | |
|---|---|
 Eugenie Blair (right) with Pauline Lord and James T. Mack in the original Broadway production of Anna Christie (1921) | |
| Born | Eugenie A. Blair 1864 Columbia, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | May 13, 1922 (aged 57–58) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Resting place | Rosehill Cemetery and Mausoleum |
| Spouse | Robert L. Downing |
| Children | 1 |
Eugenie Blair, from a 1916 publication.
She collapsed and died after playing Marthy in Anna Christie in Chicago.[2]
References
- EUGENIE BLAIR DIES PLAYING STAGE ROLE; Sticks to Her Part, Though Ill, Till Curtain Falls and Then Expires (New York Times, May 15, 1922)
- EUGENIE BLAIR BURIED.; Many Thespians Attend Services for Veteran Actress in Chicago (New York Times, May 18, 1922)
External links
- Eugenie Blair at the Internet Broadway Database
- Eugenie Blair portrait gallery (NY Public Library, Billy Rose collection)
- portraits of her daughter, Eleanor Montell (Univ. of Washington, Sayre collection)
- Eugenie Blair: North American Theatre Online
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