Lenihan, Winifred (1898–1964)

views updated

Lenihan, Winifred (1898–1964)

American actress. Born Dec 6, 1898, in NYC; died July 27, 1964, in Sea Cliff, LI, NY; m. Frank Wheeler.

Made stage debut as Belline in The Betrothal (1918); was 1st American actress to play title role in Shaw's St. Joan (1923); also appeared in For the Defense, The Dover Road, Major Barbara and Black Limelight; founded and was the 1st director of Theatre Guild's School of Acting (1925); also directed for radio.