Florence, W(illiam) J(ames or Jermyn)

Florence, W[illiam] J[ames or Jermyn] [né Bernard Conlin] (1831–91), actor and producer. Born in Albany, New York, where he showed dramatic ability early and became an important member of the local Murdoch Dramatic Association, he made his professional debut in Richmond, Virginia, in 1849, playing Tobias in The Stranger, and his New York bow in 1850 as Hallagan in Home. His Irish good looks and charm coupled with his “frank, ingenuous” acting style kept him playing preponderantly Irish parts for the next dozen years, often in conjunction with his wife, the former Malvina Pray (1831–1906). They also appeared successfully in a number of burlesques. Florence scored a major success as the first American Bob Brierly in The Ticket‐of‐Leave Man (1863), then produced the first American presentation of Caste (1867), taking for himself the part of George D'Alroy. His other noteworthy credits include the tricky villain Obenreizer in the American premiere of No Thoroughfare (1868), the garrulous Hon. Bardwell Slote in The Mighty Dollar (1875), Sir Lucius O'Trigger in The Rivals (1890), and Zekiel Homespun in The Heir‐at‐Law (1890). William Winter recalled, “The secret of his success lay in his profound feeling, guided by good taste and perfect self‐control. He was an actor of humanity, and he diffused an irresistible charm of truth and gentleness.”