Gerald du Maurier
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Sir Gerald Hubert Edward Busson du Maurier (March 26, 1873–April 11, 1934) was a British actor and manager. He was the son of the writer George du Maurier, brother of Sylvia Llewelyn Davies, and father of Dame Daphne du Maurier. He was also a friend of Henry James.
Du Maurier, born in London, attended Harrow School. He initially pursued a career in business, but it did not suit him, and he took to the stage. There he became popular for his subtle yet realistic acting style. Du Maurier played Captain Hook in the premiere performance of J. M. Barrie's Peter Pan, at the Duke of York's Theatre, London, on December 27, 1904; he also appeared in several more of Barrie's works, including The Admirable Crichton and Dear Brutus. The character of Wendy in Peter Pan takes one of her middle names from Du Maurier's daughter Angela, and in later years Angela Du Maurier herself portrayed Wendy onstage.
Du Maurier was manager of Wyndham's Theatre from 1910 to 1925, and then moved to the St James's Theatre. He served as the president of The Actors' Orphanage. Knighted in 1922 at the peak of his popularity, he continued to perform throughout his life. His daughter Daphne wrote a biography of him – Gerald: A Portrait – which was published in 1934, the same year he died of cancer in London.
The du Maurier cigarette brand is named for Gerald du Maurier.
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- "The Peter Pan Syndrome", Camden New Journal, 14 January 2005
