- Eddie Dowling
Eddie Dowling (
December 11 1889 [(baptismal records of Precious Blood church, Woonsocket, Rhode Island)] -February 18 1976 ) was anactor ,screenwriter ,playwright , producer,songwriter andcomposer .He was christened Joseph Narcisse Gaucher on December 15, 1889 at
l'Eglise du Précieux Sang (Precious Blood church) as one of almost 20 children born to an Irish and French-Canadian couple inWoonsocket, Rhode Island . He took his professional surname from the maiden name of his mother, Bridget Mary Dowling, who was born inSmithfield, Rhode Island . His father was Charles Gaucher who was born in St. Marcel, Province of Québec, Canada. [(baptismal records of Precious Blood church, Woonsocket, Rhode Island)]He appeared on stage for many years.Cullen, Frank and Hackman, Florence (2006). "Vaudeville, Old and New: An Encyclopedia of Variety Performers in America", pp. 322-23. Routledge. ISBN 0415938538.] His most famous role was as "Tom Wingfield" in the original Broadway production of "
The Glass Menagerie ", oppositeLaurette Taylor andJulie Haydon . He produced the play's originalChicago production in 1944, and followed it to Broadway.He was married to the Glasgow-born actress and stage performer, Rachel "Ray" Dooley, who specialized in
physical comedy ; they had two children, Jack and Maxine.Eddie Dowling died in
Smithfield, Rhode Island , aged 86.References
External links
*
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
