Background
He was born Willet Melbourne MacDowell in Little Washington, New Jersey (now South River, New Jersey).
He was born Willet Melbourne MacDowell in Little Washington, New Jersey (now South River, New Jersey).
He began on the legitimate stage in the 1870s and first appeared on the silent screen in 1917. He had an older brother named East. A. MacDowell. As a teen Melbourne went to sea in the Merchant Marines eventually becoming a mate.
MacDowell was occasionally asked upon to acting
Here in Montreal he got a chance to act with Adelaide Neilson, a legend in her short life, in the Shakespeare play As You Like lieutenant Neilson played one of the main characters Rosalind and MacDowell was briefly on as Charles the wrestler.
In 1888 MacDowell became acquainted with Fanny Davenport playing in Louisiana Tosca with her. In 1889 the two married.
He would continue to act with her in her series of emotional plays until her death in 1898.
After Davenport died MacDowell became associated professionally with her successor, Blanche Walsh, who continued playing Davenport"s famous and emotional roles. A large man weighing over 200 pounds, MacDowell played the hero or distinct character in plays. MacDowell was married several times, his most famous marriage being his first to the legendary Fanny Davenport.
On February 18, 1941 MacDowell died at Decoto, California from a clot on his brain.