About James Lacy
Lived 1696 – 1774 (aged 77–78). James Lacy was an English and British actor and stage actor.
James Lacy (1696–1774) was a British stage actor and theatre manager.
He joined John Rich's company at the Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre in 1724. His wife acted alongside him, and together they appeared in the premiere of John Gay's The Beggar's Opera as Robin of Bagshot and Dolly Trull respectively. During the 1730s, he collaborated with Henry Fielding, appearing as Witmore in his The Author's Farce and working with him at Bartholomew Fair. He got in trouble for producing plays illegally following the passage of a new Licensing Act in 1737.
By 1744, Lacy was manager of the Drury Lane Theatre where he clashed with actor David Garrick leading Garrick to leave the company for several years. In 1747, they reconciled and became co-managers of Drury Lane. In later years he owned a mansion called Lacy House, located close to the Thames in Isleworth.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in James Lacy's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped James Lacy's
Frequently asked questions
Who was James Lacy?
actor and theatre manager
When was James Lacy born?
James Lacy was born in 1696.
When did James Lacy die?
James Lacy died on 21 January 1774 in Isleworth.
What was James Lacy's occupation?
James Lacy was an actor and stage actor.
What nationality was James Lacy?
James Lacy was English and British.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). James Lacy. https://biography.guide/james-lacy/
MLA: "James Lacy." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/james-lacy/.
Chicago: "James Lacy." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/james-lacy/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:21 UTC