EMERSON, JOHN

(1874-1956)

Born in Sandusky, Ohio, John Emerson studied for the ministry at Oberlin College, in Heidelberg, and at the University of Chicago, but abandoned his studies in 1904 to become an actor. He made his first appearance inTit for Tatthat year and toured withMinnie Maddern Fiskebefore switching from acting to directing under the banner of the Shuberts,Charles Frohman, andA. H. Woods. Among the important productions Emerson staged,ClydeFitch's dramaThe City(1909) and the Julian Eltinge musicalThe Crinoline Girl(1914) stand out as demonstrations of his versatility. He was centrally involved in the Actors' Equity Association strike in 1919, serving as president, and he collaborated on plays with his wife,Anita Loos, includingThe Whole Town's Talking(1923) and the enduringly popularGentlemen Prefer Blondes(1926).