Ben Webster

Ben Webster was an English actor who began his professional stage career in 1887 after initially training for the law. Born in London in 1864, he made his debut at the St James's Theatre as Lord Woodstock in Clancarty. He then joined George Alexander's company, creating roles in plays such as Lady Windermere's Fan, The Second Mrs Tanqueray and Liberty Hall. Later he toured America with Henry Irving and remained at the Lyceum until 1898, and in that year he played Cassio in Othello during a tour with Ellen Terry. In the early 20th century he appeared in comedies, dramas and swashbuckling plays like The Prisoner of Zenda, and in 1907 he toured America with Mrs Patrick Campbell. From 1913 to 1943 he worked in films, a career that lasted 30 years, and in the late 1930s he moved to California. His film credits included Lassie Come Home (1943), in which he played Dan'l Fadden. He died in 1947.