C. Hayden Coffin

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Charles Hayden Coffin (April 22, 1862 – December 8, 1935) was an English actor and singer known for his performances in many famous musicals, particularly those produced by George Edwardes.

[edit] Life and career

Coffin was born in Manchester. His parents were from Maine. Coffin passed the preliminary examinations to enter the College of Surgeons, but decided instead to become an actor.

Coffin made his London musical debut as John Smith in Pocahontas (1885). He rose to fame as Harry Sherwood in the record setting hit Dorothy (1886), in which he introduced the popular song, "Queen of My Heart." Coffin's good looks and powerful voice made him one of the most popular stage baritones of the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. Early in his career he also had successes with Doris (1889), The Red Hussar (1889), and Captain Therese (1890), among others, and spent a season in New York co-starring in several productions with soprano Lillian Russell (1892–93). He also starred in pantomimes.

Coffin returned to London in 1893 to star in a series of hit musical comedies produced by George Edwardes, including A Gaiety Girl (1893), The Geisha (1896), San Toy (1899), A Country Girl (1903) and The Cingalee (1904). He also appeared in Veronique (1904), The Girl Behind the Counter (1906), Tom Jones (1907), and The Quaker Girl (1910).

Coffin was married to actress Adeline de Leuw, whose first husband was Alberto Randegger. In his later years, Coffin turned to dramatic roles, including Shakespearean roles, with occasional appearances in musicals such as Young England (1916) and As You Were (1918). He made several films until 1930. He also continued touring through the 1920s, and died in London at the age of 73.