RANKIN, MCKEE

(1841-1914)

Born in Sandwich, Canada, Arthur McKee Rankin debuted as an actor in 1861 under the stage name George Henley in Rochester, New York. After a few seasons in England, Rankin made his first New York appearance inA Regular Fixin 1866 before joining theUnion Square Theatrein 1872. There he appeared inleading rolesbefore finding enduring popularity as miner Alexander McGee inThe Danites(1877) opposite his wife, Kitty Blanchard. Initial success as a producer and manager, and frequent revivals ofThe Danites(later oppositeNance O'Neil), kept him in the public eye, but various personal and managerial failings led to bankruptcy in 1904. In attempts to find another vehicle as popular asThe Danites, Rankin appeared with modest success in'49(1881) andThe Canuck(1891). Rankin's daughters, Gladys and Doris, married actors Sidney Drew andLionel Barrymore, respectively.