Leonard Ceeley, real name Leon Otis Dickerson Seeley, was a British actor, born August 14, 1892 in Gravesend, Kent (United Kingdom). and dead May 7, 1977 in Los Angeles, California (United States).[1]

He began as a choirboy at Rochester Cathedral before traveling to Italy to refine his vocal skills.[2]

His theatrical career unfolded almost exclusively in the United States, where he was one of the most prolific actors in musicals and operettas during the late 1920s and early 1930s,[3] particularly on the Broadway theatre and around the country.[4]

From 1930 to 1935, he held many leading roles in productions at the St. Louis Municipal Opera Theatre,[5] commonly known as The Muny, earning his own paper doll.[6]

He later had a modest film career, with his most notable role being Whitmore, the villain in the the Marx Brothers movie A Day at the Races

In 1943 Leonard Ceeley married Lorraine Bridges an American actress and singer, they remained married until his death.[7] They were principal players in the Marx brothers revue A Day at the Races.[8][9] and appeared in an adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac titled Gardenia Lady, which was written, composed, produced and costarred by Leonard Ceeley (under the name of Lyn Ceeley),[10] in Leeds in 1947.[11][12]

Theatre

Filmography

Television

References

  1. ^ "Obituary for Leonard Ceeley ". The Los Angeles Times. 1977-05-10. p. 40. Retrieved 2020-09-14 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "Leonard Ceeley Mention in St. Louis Post-Dispatch". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. May 30, 1943. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
  3. ^ Roger D. Kinkle (1976). The Complete Encyclopedia of Popular Music and Jazz, 1900-1950. Vol. 1. Arlington House. ISBN 978-0-87000-229-8.
  4. ^ "The Frisco Employes' Magazine". The Frisco Employes' Magazine. June 1931.
  5. ^ "The Muny Actor List: Leonard Ceeley". The Muny Archives. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
  6. ^ "Leonard Ceeley - Muny Opera Dressographs Paper Doll". Pinterest. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  7. ^ "Leonard Ceeley Weds Lorraine Bridges". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 1943-05-22. p. 12. Retrieved 2020-08-24 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ Rees, Les (22 July 1936). "Pictures: Marx Bros.' Presentation Break-In of 'Day at Races' Evidences OK Comedy". Variety. Vol. 123, no. 6. p. 2.
  9. ^ "Marxes "Comic Caravan" Hits the Road Next Week". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 1936-07-04. p. 10. Retrieved 2020-09-14 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Accidents at Leeds Heritage Theatres". Leeds Heritage Theatres. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  11. ^ "New Show to Open in Leeds." Accordion Times and Musical Express. Iss. 45,  (Aug 15, 1947): 1.
  12. ^ Gänzl, Kurt (1994). The Encyclopedia of the Musical Theatre. Schirmer Books. ISBN 978-0-02-871445-5 – via Google Books.
  13. ^ Terrace, Vincent (January 10, 2014). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010, 2d ed. McFarland. p. 273. ISBN 978-0-7864-8641-0. Retrieved December 31, 2024.

External souces

Further reading

  • Mary Kimbrough (1977). The Muny: St. Louis' Outdoor Theater. Bethany Press. ISBN 978-0827223158.
  • Richard C. Norton (2002). A Chronology of American Musical Theater. Oxford ; New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0195088885.
  • Ruth Benjamin (2005). Who Sang What on Broadway, 1866-1996. Jefferson, NC: McFarland. ISBN 978-0786415069.
  • Samuel L. Leiter (1985). The Encyclopedia of the New York Stage, 1920-1930. Greenwood Press. ISBN 978-0-313-23615-0.





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