George Lessey

George Lessey (June 8, 1879 – June 3, 1947) was an American actor and director born in Amherst, Massachusetts, where he participated in theatrical productions as a boy. He graduated from Amherst College and went on to build a career spanning stage, screen, and direction across several decades.

Lessey established himself early in the film industry as a leading man for Edison Studios, a position he held for one year before transitioning into directing for the same company over the following two years. In 1914, he joined Universal Studios as a director. His screen work included several historically notable achievements: he portrayed Romeo in the first film adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, directed What Happened to Mary, recognized as the first film serial, and took on a dual role as twins in The Corsican Brothers, a performance credited as the first instance of a dual role in cinema. Between 1910 and 1946, Lessey appeared in more than 120 films, and between 1913 and 1922 he directed more than 70 films.

His Broadway career extended from 1906 to 1945 and included appearances in productions such as Many Mansions, the musical Susanna Don't You Cry, Signature, The Man Who Came to Dinner, and State of the Union. Among his stage credits was the original 1935 Broadway production of Porgy and Bess, in which he played Mr. Archdale, a lawyer and one of the few white roles in the production.

During the 1930s, Lessey also worked as a model for men's clothing. He was married to the former May Abbey. Lessey died on June 3, 1947, while on vacation in Westbrook, Connecticut, at the age of 67.