Gladys Rankin (October 8, 1870 - January 9, 1914) was an American actress, comedian, and playwright. She was best known for being the first "Mrs. Sidney Drew" in the comedy duo Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Drew. She was wrote under the name George Cameron.
Early life Gladys Rankin was born October 8, 1870 in New York City, New York to stage actors McKee Rankin and Kitty Blachard. She had two sisters, Phyllis and Doris Rankin, both actors.
Career In her stage career, Rankin was a light-hearted leading man along with his wife, Gladys Rankin, the first "Mrs. Sidney Drew".Beasley, David (2002). McKeee Rankin and the Heyday of the American Theater pp. 101-102. By 1893, the pair had established Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Drew's Comedy Company. Drew's mother and acclaimed actress Louisa Lane Drew would tour with the company. Other cast members included Charles Verner, Owen Fancett, and Drew's nephew Lionel Barrymore. In 1896, the pair introduced legitimate drama to the vaudeville stage.Slide, Anthony (2006). New York City Vaudeville. Charleston, SC: Arcadia. p. 80. .
Personal life Rankin married actor Sidney Drew, of the prominent Drew acting family, on July 22, 1889 at St. Francis Xavier Church in Phildadelphia.Sidney Drew: North American Theatre Online The couple had one son, actor and director Sidney Rankin Drew in 1891. Rankin Drew was killed-in-action on May 19, 1918 when his plane was shot down over France during World War I.
Rankin and Drew separated in 1894 after rumors of Drew's infidelity with different actresses came out and she filed for divorce. They would eventually reconcile and stayed married until her death.
In 1913, Rankin was diagnosised with cancer and she died on January 9, 1914 at the Marlborough Hotel.
Legacy Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Drew have a joint star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In 1916, Rankin's son, Sidney Rankin Drew, directed Thou Art the Man. It was the last script written by Rankin on her deathbed. He regarded the film as a masterpiece and a tribute to his mother.
Theatre YearTitleRoleNotesRef.1888A Legal Wreck1890The Burglar1891That Girl from Mexico1893The Road to RuinSophia Fondlove1897Rosemary
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