C. HAYDEN COFFIN

'Charles Hayden Coffin' (April 22 1862 – December 8 1935) was an English actor and singer known for his performances in many famous musicals, particularly those produced by George Edwardes.

Contents

Life and career

Reference

External links

Life and career

Coffin was born in Manchester. His parents were from Maine, and his father was a dentist. Coffin passed the preliminary examinations to enter the College of Surgeons, but decided instead to become an actor.
Coffin made his London musical debut as John Smith in ''Pocahontas'' (1885). He rose to fame as Harry Sherwood in the record-setting hit ''Dorothy'' (1886), in which he introduced the popular song, "Queen of My Heart." Coffin's good looks and powerful voice made him one of the most popular stage baritones of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Early in his career he also had successes with ''Doris'' (1889), ''The Red Hussar'' (1889), and ''Captain Therese'' (1890), among others, and spent a season in New York City co-starring in several productions with soprano Lillian Russell (1892–93). He also starred in pantomimes.
Coffin returned to London in 1893 to star in a series of hit Edwardian musical comedies produced by George Edwardes, including ''A Gaiety Girl'' (1893), ''An Artist's Model'', (1895), ''The Geisha'' (1896), ''San Toy'' (1899), ''A Country Girl'' (1903) and ''The Cingalee'' (1904). He also appeared in ''Veronique'' (1904), ''The Girl Behind the Counter'' (1906), ''Tom Jones'' (1907), and ''The Quaker Girl'' (1910).
Coffin was married to actress Adeline de Leuw, whose first husband was the composer Alberto Randegger. In his later years, Coffin turned to serious drama, including Shakespearean roles, with occasional appearances in musicals such as ''Young England'' (1916) and ''As You Were'' (1918). He made several films until 1930 and also continued touring through the 1920s.
He died in London at the age of 73.

Reference

Coffin wrote an autobiography, ''Hayden Coffin's Book: Packed with Acts and Facts'' (London: Alston Rivers, 1930).

External links

★ Profile of Coffin

★ Filmography

★ Information about Coffin

★ Review of Coffin

★ Photos of Coffin

★ More photos of Coffin

★ Information about some of Coffin's roles during World War I