William Henry LeMassena

Background

LeMassena, William Henry was born on May 23, 1916 in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, United States. Son of William Henry and Margery (Lockwood) LeM.

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts, New York University, 1938. Studied with, William Hansen American Theatre Wing, 1947. Studied with, Mira Rostova and Theodore Komisarjevsky, 1952.

Career

LeMassena was a graduate of New York University. His first Broadway job was with the Theatre Guild, appearing in the 1939 production of The Taming of the Shrew, starring the Lunts. In the later part of his career, LeMassena did several seasons of regional work at Meadowbrook Theatre in Rochester, Michigan, and also had a long run in Broadway"s Deathtrap. Massena appeared in other roles, however, including a stint towards the end of his life as Ambrose Bingham, on the daytime soap opera As the World Turns.

He also appeared throughout the 1960s in several television adaptations of stage plays on the Hallmark Hall of Fame, including a 1960 production of Shakespeare"s The Tempest, starring Maurice Evans, Lee Remick, Roddy McDowall, and Richard Burton (LeMassena was Antonio), as well as a 1967 production of Bernard Shaw"s Saint Joan, starring Geneviève Bujold in her American television debut as Joan of Arc, and featuring LeMassena as Jean d"Estivet.

He also appeared in the first (and so far, the only) television production of the operetta Naughty Marietta, in the role of Rudolfo.

Achievements

• William Henry LeMassena has been listed as a notable actor by Marquis Who's Who.

Membership

Served with United States Army, 1942-1946. Member of Players (New York City).

Connections

Father:

William Henry LeM.

Mother:

Margery (Lockwood) LeM.