Fisher, Charles

Fisher, Charles (1816–91), actor. The Englishman had already made a name for himself at London's Princess Theatre when William Burton enlisted him for his American company. He made his debut as Ferment in The School of Reform in 1852, then won acclaim the following year as the art fancier Triplet in Masks and Faces. Fisher remained with Burton for several seasons before moving to Laura Keene's company. In 1855 he created the role of the treacherous jester Pepe in Francesca da Rimini. He joined Wallack's ensemble in 1861 and for many years was one of the group's principal supporting players, assuming such roles as Joseph Surface and important parts in newer plays, including Matthew Leigh in Rosedale (1863). During one summer hiatus he created the role of the villainous Colonel Crafton in Fritz, Our Cousin German. In 1872 Fisher switched to Augustin Daly's troupe, in which he remained for the rest of his life. As at Wallack's, he played important roles in many of the new plays Daly mounted as well as interpreting such classic roles as Falstaff and Sir Peter Teazle. Daly's biographer characterized his style as “more French than English,” suggesting his forte for light, elegant impersonations, and although he never became a star he remained one of the most respected American performers for nearly forty years.