McRae, Bruce

(1867-1927)

   The English actor, nephew of Sir Charles Wyndham and of Bronson Howard, was born in India and educated in France. He made his stage debut in 1891 at Proctor's 23rd Street Theatre in Thermidor and quickly rose to popularity. He played Dr. Watson to William Gillette's Sherlock Holmes (1899) and was leading man to Ethel Barrymore for several seasons from 1902. Besides his touring engagements, he played two seasons (1911-1912) with stock companies in Denver. He was often cast in society roles, though he held those character types in disregard. He continued to act despite chronic heart ailments, and even persisted with his last role, in Legend of Leonora with Grace George, after a heart attack.