ON stage and screen, dowagers, mothers and grand duchesses are born,
not made, as the saying goes. In filmdom especially must "royalty"
have the foundation of high breeding, while the society mother herself cannot
hope for elegance of gown and make-up to cover lack of natural graces.
In the screen world, as well as upon the earlier stage, Kate Lester is
the true type of the elderly social scion, for her family were the Suydams
of New York's most inner circle.
Infant Suydam was born in Shouldham Thorpe, England, while the family
was abroad. She was reared in the New York home as a child of wealth, and
educated in the most select schools.
From childhood she had dreamed of a stage career, but there was the barrier
always of family pride and objection. After she graduated from Normal College
she followed the prevailing society fad of studying dramatic art. Dion Boucicault
was the dramatic lion of the time, and it was under his tutelage that Miss
Suydam and other girls of her set pursued their studies. Classes were held
on the stage of the Madison Square theater. Boucicault was approached one
day by the manager of "Partners," whose "Lady Silverdale"
had been taken ill. He desired a "grand dame" to take her role.
Although Miss Suydam was in her early twenties, the instructor recommended
her, and she played & the role with complete success, and also, to the
annoyance of the family, she retained the role. She adopted the stage name
of Kate Lester and, in a few seasons won a place with Richard Mansfield's
company, playing leading lady. One of her roles was that of "Acte,"
the slave in "Nero."
Her stage career was long and filled with triumphs. She played with John
Drew, William H. Crane, Madame Fiske, Henrietta Crossman, Robert Mantell
and Julia Marlowe. Her list of roles assumes the proportions of a library.
Later she became famous for her roles as "mother," dowager, and
royal personages of advanced age.
Some of Miss Lester's recent appearances have been in "Doubling
for Romeo," "One Glorious Day," "Dangerous Curves Ahead"
and "Gimmie."
She is five feet, seven inches tall, weighs 170 pounds, has dark blue
eyes and almost white hair. |