Actor. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he was acknowledged as the first grand tragedian of the American stage. He made his stage debut in Philadelphia in 1820 and made his debut at the Park Theatre, New York in 1826. He soon gained great acclaim for his Shakespearean roles and for the next several seasons performed at all the noted playhouses in the New England coast. Taking his shows out on the road, he toured what was called the Western circuit south from New Orleans, to Kentucky, up to Ohio and was the first to perform at some of the open far west territories. By the 1850s, his popularity began to wane, but he still retained a large following in the upper reaches of theatres. He continued to perform until shortly before his death at age 66. In the 1920s, for his contributions to the theatre world, the Forrest Theatre in New York City and Philadelphia, were named in his honor.

Actor. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he was acknowledged as the first grand tragedian of the American stage. He made his stage debut in Philadelphia in 1820 and made his debut at the Park Theatre, New York in 1826. He soon gained great acclaim for his Shakespearean roles and for the next several seasons performed at all the noted playhouses in the New England coast. Taking his shows out on the road, he toured what was called the Western circuit south from New Orleans, to Kentucky, up to Ohio and was the first to perform at some of the open far west territories. By the 1850s, his popularity began to wane, but he still retained a large following in the upper reaches of theatres. He continued to perform until shortly before his death at age 66. In the 1920s, for his contributions to the theatre world, the Forrest Theatre in New York City and Philadelphia, were named in his honor.

Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith