Jane Stephens (actress)
British actress
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jane Tryphoena Stephens (1812? – 15 January 1896) was a British actress who became famous as she became older.
Jane Tryphoena Stephens | |
|---|---|
Jane 'Grannie' Stephens by William Bond | |
| Born | 1812? |
| Died | 15 January 1896 |
Life
Her first surname is unknown as she sometimes appeared as "Miss Stephens". She had a husband called Joseph Stephens who was a solicitor's clerk. Before she took to the stage in 1840 she ran a tobacconists. She took a variety of roles but it was not until 1854 that she found her niche. She took on "grandmotherly" type roles in a number of productions and was affectionately known as "Granny" Stephens.[1] She finished her career on 9 July 1889 with a benefit programme at the Shaftesbury Theatre. The committee responsible for promoting the show included R D'Oyly Carte, George Edwardes and C H Hawtrey.[2][1]
Stephens died in Clapham Common in 1896 of bronchitis.[2] She was cremated on 20 January and her ashes were buried in the Actors' Acre in Brookwood Cemetery in Woking.[3]
Legacy
There is a portrait of "Mrs Stephens" in the National Portrait Gallery by William Bond dating from the early 19th century.[4]
