James Stark (actor)
James Stark was a Canadian-born US actor best known for appearances in tragedy.
Stark was born in Windsor, Nova Scotia, but his career was largely spent in California during pioneer days. He was particularly known for his portrayal of Cardinal Richelieu in the play of the same name, and for his portrayal of Hamlet and other Shakespearean characters.
Around 1848, he was a member of the stock company at the Richmond Theatre in Virginia.
In New York City, he played the Park Theatre in 1846 with John Collins in The Irish Ambassador, as Prince Rudolf; with Charles Kean and his wife, the former Ellen Tree, in The Two Gentlemen of Verona and King John; and with James Robertson Anderson in the new play King of the Commons. In 1848 and 1851 he played the Old Broadway Theatre, with Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Wallack Jr. In 1852 Frank Chanfrau was the manager of The New York Theatre, Astor Place for one week, from September 27 to October 2, when Stark played King Lear, Hamlet, Richelieu, The Stranger, and Claude Melnotte. In 1858 Mr. and Mrs. Stark performed for one week at Wallack's Theatre, April 5 – 10, in The Gamester, The Lady of Lyons, Richelieu, Othello, Hamlet, and The Stranger. From August 20 to September 8, 1866, when the same theater, managed by George Wood, was called the Broadway Theatre, he acted in Richelieu, The Robbers, Napoleon, The Stranger, Katherine and Petrucio, The Lady of Lyons, Ingomar, and Pizarro, but the engagement was not profitable.
Stark was also popular in Australia.
He died in New York City, in poverty and illness, aged 57 years.
