Antoinette Perry

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Mary Antoinette "Tony" Perry (June 27, 1888 – June 28, 1946) was an American actress, director and co-founder of the American Theatre Wing.

She is the eponym of the Tony Awards.

Early life

Born in Denver, Colorado, she spent her childhood aspiring to replicate the thespian artistry of her aunt and uncle, Mildred Hall and George Wessels, who were both well-respected touring actors. She performed at the Elitch Theater near Denver when she was only 11 years old. In her biography, Mary Elitch recalled, "Her first public appearance was at the age of eleven in a small part on my stage. Today, with a brilliant career as an actress behind her, having played leading women with such great actors as David Warfield, Antoinette is a successful producer in New York City -- having her own theatre."

Perry's father, William Perry, was opposed to his daughter becoming an actress, but he was not against her pursuing a career in music, so sent her to Miss Ely's School in New York to study voice and piano.

Perry made her actual stage debut at Elitch Theatre "on June 12,1904 in Olympe as the 'Fifth Actress'." In June 1905 she made her Chicago debut in Mrs. Temple's Telegram and one year later she appeared in the same play in her New York debut.

In 1906 David Warfield discovered her, and she remained with his company as leading lady until 1909. Perry was able to return to her hometown theatre in Denver during the 1908 Elitch Theatre season with David Warfield, Marie Bates, William Elliot and others in the preseason special productions of The Music Master and David Belasco’s The Grand Army Man.

She appeared opposite David Warfield in Music Master in 1906 when she was only 18.

Her career was on the rise, yet she left the stage a star in 1909, to marry Denver businessman and president of the Denver Gas and Electric Company, Frank W. Frueauff.

Personal life

Perry had three daughters: Margaret, who became an actress; Virginia, who died as an infant; and Elaine, who became a stage producer in the 1950s.

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Career

Perry returned to the stage after Frank Frueauff's death in 1922 of a heart attack. In 1924, she appeared in Mr. Pitt of Zona Gale. She appeared in George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber's Minick the same year. In 1928, she began directing. Divorce Me Dear, Ceiling Zero, Red Harvest, Strictly Dishonest, Personal Appearance (Lawrence Riley's breakthrough hit), Kiss the Boys Goodbye, and Janie were among the many successful scripts developed in partnership with Brock Pemberton. Their most notable film was undoubtedly the Pulitzer Prize-winning Mary Chase classic Harvey, which was directed by Perry and that gained a lot of success on Broadway and as a film starring James Stewart.

According to Ellis Nassour:

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