Allen, C. Leslie (Charles Leslie), 1830-1917

Born in June, 1830 in Boston, Massachusetts.

He performed in the first stage presentation of Uncle Tom's Cabin in Troy, New York in 1852. Before he made his professional debut at Troy, he appeared in many amateur productions , and in one of these in Boston he spoke the last words on the stage of the Old Drury Theatre. He made his first appearance in New York in 1880 at Wallack's in Kit, but prior to that he was for many years a member of the stock company at the Boston Theatre. In 1887 he appeared in Julia Marlowe's company, and among his roles was Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth Night, a part he also played with Modjewska on one of her American tours. From 1892-1896 he was in John Drew's supporting company, and since 1900 he had played mostly in his daughter's companies. Allen was best known as the father of Viola Allen, a famous stage actress in her own right, who performed in Buffalo eleven times between 1900 and 1910. In 1910, she starred in the world debut of Love in Livery, February 15 and 16, at the Star Theatre. Charles Leslie Allen died February 32, 1917 in Stamford, Connecticut.