Los Angeles County
Biographies
R. D. MAC
LEAN
One of the distinguished Shakespearean actors who has endeared himself to the citizens of southern California, is R. D. MacLean, who is a resident of 1764 North Sycamore street in Hollywood. He was born in New Orleans and educated in Washington and Lee University at Lexington, Virginia, and the University of Virginia at Charlottesville, taking elective courses in each institution. His first business venture was in real estate at New Orleans, as manager and resident agent of a large estate. From boyhood, however, he had wanted to be an actor and at this time pursued private studies preparatory for that career. His first appearance was in Pygmalion and Galatea in Kingston, New York. So successful was he from the start that in 1890 he organized his own company and toured the United States in Shakespearean roles for many years, or until the death of his father. For the ensuing six years he managed his father’s estate and then returned to the state.
During the twenty-five or more years that Mr. MacLean has been before the public, he starrted with Madame Modjeska, has associated with Leslie Carter, and starred with William Faversham, playing the part of Brutus with the latter at the Lyric Theatre in New York city; also the role of Othello. He has been under the management of David Belasco and Charles Frohman at various times.
Mr. MacLean came to California in 1919 and for nine years took the part of Fra Junipero Serra in the Mission Play in San Gabriel. He had the honor of opening the new theatre building there after its completion. As Brutus he played in Julius Caesar given at the Hollywood Bowl in 1929. He is also an instructor in dramatic roles. Among the more prominent roles he has taken in his career are Richard III, Shylock, Romeo, Othello, and Brutus. When he as with Madame Modjeska he played King John in MacBeth (sic).
Mr. MacLean is a member of the Uplifters Club in Santa Monica and is associated with the Shakespeare Foundation of Hollywood, starring as Falstaff in the Merry Wives of Windsor, and Richard III. Mr. MacLean is active in all progressive movements for the furthering of the best interests of the state of his adoption and his circle of friends is coextensive with his acquaintances.
Transcribed
10-30-12 Marilyn R. Pankey.
Source: California
of the South Vol. V, by John Steven McGroarty, Pages 439-440,
Clarke Publ., Chicago, Los Angeles, Indianapolis. 1933.
© 2012 Marilyn R. Pankey.
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BIOGRAPHIES