ROBERTS, FLORENCE

(1871-1927)

A California native, actress Florence Roberts debuted in 1889 in San Francisco. Engaged by the Alcazar Theatre stock company as itsleading lady, Roberts won acclaim in both Shakespearean and contemporary roles, with particular success inRomeo and Juliet, Hamlet, The Merchant of Venice, As You Like It, and as the title character inCamille. Roberts was highly appreciated by Western audiences, who called her "Zaza" when she toured, and Roberts seldom appeared in New York, although she had a short run inThe Strength of the Weak(1906). She acted in silent motion pictures and toured South Africa at the end ofWorldWar I.