KEENAN, James Francis ("Frank")

KEENAN, James Francis ("Frank") (Dubuque, IA, Apr. 8, 1858-Feb. 24, 1929). One of the first actors to portray the mythical character Rip Van Winkle. Keenan, once described as the "best actor in America," first came into contact with the entertainment business when, as a child, he watched the flashy showboats that docked in Dubuque every summer. He took his first acting lessons as a student at Boston College and quickly moved into minor roles as part of the famous Boston Museum Stock Company. Observed by the manager of a small professional company, Keenan was launched into a professional acting career. He appeared in East Lynne in 1880.

During the 1880s and 1890s, Keenan appeared in many comedies. He enjoyed leading roles in Peaceful Valley, The Honorable John Grigsby, and The Capitol. In 1898 Keenan moved into the field of directing with The Christian and later staged The King's Musketeers and Such a Little Queen. His experiment with the Parisian idea of three one-act plays performed in one evening did not appeal to American audiences.

Keenan's deeply lined and rugged face led him to many character roles. In 1914 he played the lead in "Yosemite" and held the title role in John Ferguson. MOTION PICTURES captured his interest. In 1915 Keenan played a southern gentlemen in a CIVIL WAR drama entitled The Coward. He remained in California devoting most of his time to motion pictures with occasional returning roles in the legitimate theater.