William Rignold

William Henry Rignold (8 April 1836 – 22 December 1904) was an English actor. He began acting as a teenager, together with his younger brother George. A capable musician, he also played the violin professionally in the early years of his career, before becoming a full-time actor. During his career he appeared with leading players including Samuel Phelps, Ellen Terry, Madge Kendal and his brother. Failing eyesight ended his career in 1902, and he died two years later at the age of 68.

Life and career Early years Rignold was born in Leicester on 8 April 1836, the first son of the actor William Ross Rignold (1813–1883) and his wife, the actress Patricia Blaxland (1800–1888). A second son, George, also entered the theatrical profession.

Both the brothers were brought up as musicians, and William was a capable violinist.

In 1860 Rignold had a leading role in The Dead Heart at the Theatre Royal, Bristol. His brother George was also a member of the company at the Theatre Royal.

West End Rignold made his London debut in 1869 in Marie Antoinette at the Princess's Theatre, receiving a good review from the leading theatrical paper, The Era: "Mr Rignold has a good presence, an excellent delivery, and a thorough acquaintance with the business of the stage". He followed this with successful appearances in Dion Boucicault's Presumptive Evidence, which played in a double bill with Handel's opera Acis and Galatea starring Blanche Cole.

In 1875 Rignold played Herbert in Heartsease, a free adaptation of Dumas's . In 1878 he played the title role in Shakespeare's Henry VIII to the Wolsey of the revered veteran Samuel Phelps. One of the most conspicuous successes of Rignold's career was made at the Princess's in June 1879 in Charles Reade's dramatisation of Émile Zola's , entitled Drink. The French critic Francisque Sarcey, who visited London in May of that year, was much impressed by "the simple truth" of Rignold's acting in this character: "He has a 'good-bye' that brings tears into the eyes".

In London Rignold played many characters, including Clement Huntingford in The World, and Macbeth (to the Lady Macbeth of Adelaide Ristori) at Drury Lane; Surgeon Fielding in Held by the Enemy; and Jack Saxton in Nowadays at the Princess's.

After his American and Australian tour Rignold acted in a London revival of W. S. Gilbert's Dan'l Druce, Blacksmith (1894) playing Sir Jasper; Santa Claus at the Lyceum (1894–95); Augustus Harris's Cheer, Boys, Cheer at Drury Lane in 1895 (in a cast in which his cousin Lionel Rignold also appeared); and in True Blue at the Olympic (1896).

At the end of the century, Rignold's eyesight failed, leaving him unable to perform. He retired and a benefit fund was set up; a fund-raising show was given in 1902 under the auspices of Sir Henry Irving at the Lyric Theatre.

Rignold died at his home in north London on 22 December 1904.

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