Wilton Lackaye

Wilton Lackaye ( William Andrew Lackey; September 30, 1862 – August 22, 1932) was an American stage and film actor, who originated the role of Svengali (from the 1895 novel Trilby) in both stage and film.

Early life William Andrew Lackey was born in Loudoun County, Virginia, the son of James Lackey and his wife, Margaret Bagnam. He attended Georgetown University As an amateur, he acted with the Lawrence Barrett Club of Washington.

Career Lackaye's professional acting debut occurred in 1883 when he portrayed Lucentio in Francesca da Rimini at the Star Theatre in New York. Lackaye toured in vaudeville during World War I, performing in the one-act plays Quits and The Bomb. second to Alice Evans, and lastly to Katherine Alberta Riley. He had a son Wilton Lackaye Jr. with Alice Evans.

He had two siblings in show business: James Lackaye Jr. and Helen Lackaye.

Death Lackaye died of an acute heart attack at age 69 at his home in New York City. His funeral was held in St. Malachy's Roman Catholic Church, and he was buried in Calvary Cemetery.

Filmography The Pit (1914) Children of the Ghetto (1915) Trilby (1915) The Man of Shame (1915) God's Crucible (1921) What's Wrong with the Women? (1922) The Lone Wolf (1924) For Woman's Favor (1924) The Sky Raider (1925)