Cowl, Jane

Jane Cowl, actor and author, was born Grace Bailey in Boston on December 14, 1883.

She began her career as an actor with David Belasco debuting in the Belasco Theatre on December 10, 1903 as an extra in SWEET KITTY BELAIRS, and quickly rose to starring roles with his company. In 1912, she scored a major success as Mary Turner in WITHIN THE LAW. She also appeared in the silent movie THE SPREADING DAWN in 1917.

Ms. Cowl later collaborated with Jane Murfin (Crisp) to write and appear in four plays including LILAC TIME, SMILIN' THROUGH, INFORMATION PLEASE and DAYBREAK. She was the author of the plays THE JEALOUS MOON and HERVEY HOUSE. Ms. Cowl was acclaimed for her Shakespearean roles. She was considered the greatest Juliet in American theater, playing a record-breaking number of performances during the 1922-1923 season. During the 1920's Jane Cowl formed her own production company, directing and starring in productions including ROMEO AND JULIET. Her career also took her to London, where she appeared in Noel Coward's EASY VIRTUE and other productions.

Ms. Cowl lectured and wrote on theatrical and other topics. In the 1940's she had a radio program on WOR. During World War I she was active in war relief and in World War II she was the co-chair of the Stage Door Canteen Committee and served on the Board of Directors of the American Theatre Wing. She married Adolph Klauber, a New York Times drama critic and theatrical producer, on June 19, 1906. He died in 1933.

At the end of her 47 year theatrical career, she moved to Hollywood and appeared in films including ONCE MORE MY DARLING and PAYMENT ON DEMAND. She died in Santa Monica, California on June 22, 1950.

Jane Cowl (1884-1950) was an actress, playwright and theatrical producer. She appeared in her most famous acting roles in the 1920s and 1930s and co-authored several plays during this period with Jane Murfin. During World War II she was co-director of the Stage Door Canteen, an entertainment center for U.S. servicemen and women in New York City. She also hosted a radio program in the 1940s.