Jobyna Howland
Encyclopedia
Jobyna Howland was an American stage and screen actress. Tall, regal and beautiful Howland was another model for Charles Dana Gibson
's famous sketching The Gibson Girl. Howland made her first appearance on the New York Stage in 1899 managed by Daniel Frohman
. During her long theatrical career she apprenticed everything from drawing room farces to musical comedies always seeming to play the other woman, a best friend's pal or a distant cousin. She didn't achieve the kind of stardom of other beautiful actresses such as Elsie Ferguson
, but was content to play the amiable and much needed support so vital in numerous Broadway productions.
In film she appeared in a scant few silent pictures alas in that medium could not use her booming, direct and distinct voice. When talkies became popular they were more to her calling. She typically played the kind of roles she had mastered on the stage, the domineering but dependable support. Fortunately for film buffs Howland now in her 50s took to talkies better than she had silents and left several examples of the kind of performances she had become famous playing in the theatre. Her appearances in the comedies of Bert Wheeler & Robert Woolsey
are some of her best known as the films of those two comedians lapsed into the public domain and were shown on late night television on numerous occasions in many markets for years.
Howland was married once to Arthur John Arbuthnott Stringer
(married 1900) but the marriage didn't last and was dissolved. As far as is known she bore no children.
She was found dead on the kitchen floor of her home in 1936. Police said death apparently was caused by heart disease.
Her brother was character actor Olin Howland
.
Charles Dana Gibson
Charles Dana Gibson was an American graphic artist, best known for his creation of the Gibson Girl, an iconic representation of the beautiful and independent American woman at the turn of the 20th century....
's famous sketching The Gibson Girl. Howland made her first appearance on the New York Stage in 1899 managed by Daniel Frohman
Daniel Frohman
Daniel Frohman was a Jewish American theatrical producer and manager, and an early film producer.Frohman was born in Sandusky, Ohio...
. During her long theatrical career she apprenticed everything from drawing room farces to musical comedies always seeming to play the other woman, a best friend's pal or a distant cousin. She didn't achieve the kind of stardom of other beautiful actresses such as Elsie Ferguson
Elsie Ferguson
Elsie Louise Ferguson was an American stage and film actress.-Early life:Born in New York City, Elsie Ferguson was the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Benson Ferguson, a successful attorney...
, but was content to play the amiable and much needed support so vital in numerous Broadway productions.
In film she appeared in a scant few silent pictures alas in that medium could not use her booming, direct and distinct voice. When talkies became popular they were more to her calling. She typically played the kind of roles she had mastered on the stage, the domineering but dependable support. Fortunately for film buffs Howland now in her 50s took to talkies better than she had silents and left several examples of the kind of performances she had become famous playing in the theatre. Her appearances in the comedies of Bert Wheeler & Robert Woolsey
Robert Woolsey
Robert Woolsey was an American stage and screen comedian and half of the 1930s comedy team Wheeler & Woolsey....
are some of her best known as the films of those two comedians lapsed into the public domain and were shown on late night television on numerous occasions in many markets for years.
Howland was married once to Arthur John Arbuthnott Stringer
Arthur John Arbuthnott Stringer
Arthur John Arbuthnott Stringer was a Canadian novelist, screenwriter, and poet who later moved to the United States....
(married 1900) but the marriage didn't last and was dissolved. As far as is known she bore no children.
She was found dead on the kitchen floor of her home in 1936. Police said death apparently was caused by heart disease.
Her brother was character actor Olin Howland
Olin Howland
Olin Howland was an American film actor. From 1909 to 1927 he appeared on the Broadway stage while balancing a career in silent movies. In 1921, he appeared in the play Two Little Girls in Blue with Oscar Shaw and the Fairbanks Twins. He was in Janice Meredith with Marion Davies...
.