Joseph Jefferson Holland was an American actor. He performed in numerous plays and comedies produced by Charles Frohman.
Background
Joseph Jefferson Holland was born on December 20, 1860 in New York City, New York, United States. He was the youngest son of the veteran comedian, George Holland, and Catherine (De Luce) Holland, and godson of Joseph Jefferson. Born in New York when the elder Holland was sixty-nine, as a boy he played in his father's dressing room at Wallack's or perched himself beside the bass drum when the curtain rose. At six he went on the stage in a child's part. Four years later his father died. His mother, not an actress, destined him for trade, but he contrived to follow family tradition to the stage.
Career
At his début in 1878 Holland doubled as Lord Scroop and Captain Gower in Henry V which ran a whole season at Booth's theatre. In 1878-1879 he joined his brother George at the Chestnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia, playing among other parts Antonio in The Merchant of Venice. Two years later he signed with McKee Rankin for leading rôles, remaining in his company two seasons. He was next engaged as leading juvenile in the Baldwin stock company, San Francisco, where he played "everything, light comedy to tragedy, even old men's parts and heavies, " learning more stagecraft than at any other period of his career.
From 1886 to 1889 he was with Daly in a company including John Drew and Otis Skinner, and with this company he made his first appearance in England. He then signed with Charles Frohman, acting under his direction in The Great Metropolis, Shenandoah, Men and Women, and Mr. Wilkinson's Widows, making a distinct hit in the last. On September 2, 1895, he and his brother Edmund Milton Holland appeared at the Garrick Theatre, New York, as joint stars in The Man With a Past. With a repertoire which included this play they toured for two seasons, scoring an artistic rather than a financial success.
Holland's performances in A Social Highwayman, Doctor Claudius, and in A Superfluous Husband were regarded as especially finished. On May 7, 1896, he played Falkland in an all-star revival of The Rivals, with Mrs. John Drew playing Mrs. Malaprop. Later during successive seasons he toured with Annie Russell, Amelia Bingham, Ethel Barrymore, and William Faversham, but in 1904 his stage career ended abruptly when he was stricken with paralysis and was forced to retire. The following year he was tendered a testimonial at the Metropolitan Opera House, March 24, 1905, which was participated in by authors, composers, artists, and actors of rank.
The last years of his life he passed at Falmouth, Massachussets Holland's adroitness in nullifying the handicap of almost total deafness is one of the marvels of the stage. He memorized every part in his scenes, and by reading lips and faces and by "ticking off" speeches in his brain, he contrived to take his cues unerringly. When his back was turned to a speaker, his dresser, if necessary, gave him his cues from the wings. He was at all times a versatile light comedian, in whom "a quiet dignity, [and] a careful attention to detail, lent polish and distinction" to all his work.
Achievements
Holland is remembered as a prominent stage actor who appeared in numerous plays throughout his career. In his memory a tablet was placed in the Falmouth Library by his clubmates of the Lamb's and Players' in New York and by his Falmouth friends.
Membership
In 1883 Holland joined the Lambs Club and remained its member for 43 years.
Personality
At the age of thirteen Holland became partially deaf.
During the twenty years of Holland's enforced retirement he displayed a valiant spirit. He kept up his study of the drama, learned French, directed amateur performances from his invalid's chair, and cultivated notable friendships for which he had a genius.
