BELLEW, KYRLE

(1855-1911)

Harold Kyrle Bellew, son of a clergyman, acted in his native England, served in the Royal Navy, and made a fortune at gold mining in Australia before launching his American stage career in 1901. He performed oppositeEleanor RobsoninA Gentleman of Francein 1901,Romeo and Julietin 1903, andShe Stoops to Conquerin 1905. His attractive stage presence was well suited to costume dramas, including swashbucklers, but his major roles also included suave contemporaries like the title characters inRaffles(1903) andThe Thief(1907).

See alsoFord, Harriet French.