Drew, John

(1853-1927)

   Named for his father, the manager of Niblo's Theatre, John Drew shied away from a life in the theatre, working for a time as a clock salesman in Philadelphia. Returning to the family profession, Drew made his 1873 stage debut at Philadelphia's Arch Street Theatre with his mother, Mrs. John Drew (Louisa Lane). After two seasons in her company, Drew made his New York debut in The Big Bonanza (1875) for producer Augustin Daly, who guided Drew's career for many years. As one of the Daly stars, including Ada Rehan, James Lewis, and Mrs. G. H. Gilbert, Drew won critical approval as Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew and other Shakespearean and Restoration comedies. Drew's good looks secured his position as a popular box office attraction. When he switched allegiance to producer Charles Frohman, Drew won approval in The Masked Ball (1892), W. Somerset Maugham's Jack Straw (1908) and The Circle (1921), and revivals of The School for Scandal (1923) and Trelawny of the "Wells" (1925 and 1927). Through his sister, Georgiana Drew Barrymore, he was the uncle of Lionel, Ethel, and John Barrymore.