Forrest, Edwin

Edwin (1806-1872), a celebrated American actor. His first notable success was in the character of Othello, which he played in New York in 1826. The parts in which he achieved marked success were those of Othello, Macbeth, King Lear, Coriolanus, Virginius, Spartacus, and Tell. Forrest was popular in England, as well as in the United States, until in 1845, when in London he was hissed while playing the part of Macbeth. He believed this to be due to Macready's influence. Forrest and Macready had been warm friends, but now Forrest accused Macready of trying to injure his reputation from motives of professional jealousy. When Macready was playing Hamlet in Edinburgh, Forrest stood in his box and hissed loudly. The quarrel continued and in 1849 while Macready was playing in the Astor Place Theater in New York a riot occurred, caused by the different partisans of the two actors. Several lives were lost at this time. Forrest retired from the stage from 1853 to 1860. Returning he played Hamlet with great success. He made his last appearance on the stage in 1871. Forrest left a large fortune. His house in Philadelphia was left as a home for aged actors. See Macready