Actors - John Sleeper Clarke

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	Actors - John Sleeper Clarke

John Sleeper Clarke (September 3, 1833-September 24, 1899), 19th century American actor, was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and was educated for the law.

He made his first appearance in Boston as Frank Hardy in Paul Pry in 1851. In 1859 he married Asia Booth, daughter of Junius Brutus Booth, and sister of John Wilkes Booth. Clarke was associated with his brother-in-law Edwin Booth in the management of the Winter Garden theatre in New York, the Walnut Street theatre in Philadelphia and the Boston theatre.

Following the assassination of US president Abraham Lincoln, Clarke came into the possesion of two letters, from his wife, written by his brother-in-law, John Wilkes Booth. He turned them over to the Philadelphia Inquirer who printed one of the two letters. His actions lead to his arrest and imprisonment in the Capitol Prison in Washington D.C. for a month. Once released, he notified his pregnant wife that they must divorce. He wanted to distance himself professionally from the name of Booth. Eventually they stayed married and she born him twin boys in August 1865. Although still married, they were only married in name only as Clarke sought the life of a bachelor, "..He lives a free going bachelor life and does what he likes.."wrote Asia to her brother Edwin. His wife Asia died 16 May 1888, age (52).
In 1867 he went to London, where he made his first appearance at the St. James's as Major Wellington de Boots in Stirling Coynes's Everybody's Friend, rewritten for him and called The Widow's Hunt. His success was so great that he remained in England for the rest of his life, except for four visits to America.

Among his favourite parts were Toodles, which ran for 200 nights at the Strand, Dr. Pangloss in The Heir-at-law, and Dr. Ollapod in The Poor Gentleman. He managed several London theatres, including the Haymarket, where he preceded the Bancrofts. He retired in 1889. His two sons also were actors.

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