Ellen Terry English theater actress Date of Birth: 27.02.1847 Country: Great Britain

1. Biography of Ellen Terry
2. Marriages and Relationships
3. Career with Henry Irving
4. International Success
5. Legacy and Awards

Biography of Ellen Terry

Ellen Terry was an English theatrical actress and the greatest performer of female roles in Shakespeare's plays. She was born into a theatrical family, where five children performed on stage. Descendants of Ellen Terry, her son Gordon Craig and her great-nephew John Gielgud, also became prominent figures in the English theatre.

Terry made her debut in 1856 in Shakespeare's "The Winter's Tale," performing alongside her son Edmund Kean Charles Kean. Queen Victoria was among the audience members. She played in London, Bristol, and Bath.

Marriages and Relationships

In 1864, Terry married the artist George Frederick Watts, who was 30 years older than her. They separated after 10 months. Later, she had a long relationship with the renowned architect Edward William Godwin, with whom she had a daughter and a son, Gordon Craig.

Career with Henry Irving

From 1878, Terry performed regularly with Henry Irving. They first met on stage ten years earlier, in 1868, playing Katherine and Petruchio in Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew." Terry became the leading performer of female roles in Shakespeare's plays on the British stage.

International Success

In 1883, Terry toured the United States for the first time (she returned there in 1907 and 1910). In the 1900s, she appeared in dramas by Ibsen and Shaw (she became friends with Shaw and corresponded with him for a long time). She began acting in films in 1916 and retired from the stage in 1920. She did not appear in any films after 1922.

Legacy and Awards

In her later years, Terry lost her eyesight. She was buried in the Church of St. Paul in Covent Garden. She was honored as a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1925, the highest level of this award.