Malvina Pray Florence (April 19, 1830–February 18, 1906) was an American dancer and comic actress. [1] [2] She was the first American comic actress to play on the English stage. [3]
Born as Anna Theresa Pray on April 19, 1830, in New York City, United States, Malvina Pray Florence was the daughter of Samuel Pray and his wife, Anna Lewis. [4] She studied dancing with Madame Dagarden. She professionally adopted the name Malvina. She began her career as a dancer during the mid-1840s in various New York theaters including the Olympic, Castle Carden, Vauxhall Carden, and Greenwich. [2]
At the age of sixteen, she was married to actor Joseph Littell, which ended in divorce in 1846. [2] [4] In 1853 she married William Jermyn Florence, American actor, with whom she entered upon a long period of starring. Both are known for specializing Irish comedies. She often appeared on the stage as a Yankee to him Irishman. [5] She also played Mrs. Gilflory opposite him in Woolf's play, the Mighty Dollar. [6] [7]
She had a four-decade-long career as a comedienne touring the United States and Great Britain, becoming the first American comedienne to perform in Europe beginning in 1856. [8]
She also performed in different plays such as The Yankee Gal (1853), Ireland As It Is and Woman's Wrong, Dombey and Son (1862), The Ticket-of-Leave Man (1863), and Our Governor (1885). [9] [4]
James claims that she was a dancer extraordinaire. [3] In 1889 she announced her retirement. [2] [4]
She died on February 18, 1906, in New York City, United States.[ citation needed]
Malvina Pray Florence (April 19, 1830–February 18, 1906) was an American dancer and comic actress. [1] [2] She was the first American comic actress to play on the English stage. [3]
Born as Anna Theresa Pray on April 19, 1830, in New York City, United States, Malvina Pray Florence was the daughter of Samuel Pray and his wife, Anna Lewis. [4] She studied dancing with Madame Dagarden. She professionally adopted the name Malvina. She began her career as a dancer during the mid-1840s in various New York theaters including the Olympic, Castle Carden, Vauxhall Carden, and Greenwich. [2]
At the age of sixteen, she was married to actor Joseph Littell, which ended in divorce in 1846. [2] [4] In 1853 she married William Jermyn Florence, American actor, with whom she entered upon a long period of starring. Both are known for specializing Irish comedies. She often appeared on the stage as a Yankee to him Irishman. [5] She also played Mrs. Gilflory opposite him in Woolf's play, the Mighty Dollar. [6] [7]
She had a four-decade-long career as a comedienne touring the United States and Great Britain, becoming the first American comedienne to perform in Europe beginning in 1856. [8]
She also performed in different plays such as The Yankee Gal (1853), Ireland As It Is and Woman's Wrong, Dombey and Son (1862), The Ticket-of-Leave Man (1863), and Our Governor (1885). [9] [4]
James claims that she was a dancer extraordinaire. [3] In 1889 she announced her retirement. [2] [4]
She died on February 18, 1906, in New York City, United States.[ citation needed]