Belle Archer (born Belle Mingle June 5, 1859 - September 19, 1900) was
an American actress and singer. She was also known as Belle Mackenzie.
She was notable for starring in a three-year, cross-country touring
production of A Contented Woman and for creating the role of Cousin
Hebe in H.M.S. Pinafore.Archer was born in Easton, Pennsylvania, the
daughter of J.L. Mingle, a businessman with Western Union. She grew up
in Easton and was educated there. As a youngster, Archer ran away from
the Philadelphia Normal School with a friend with the goal of joining
a theatrical troupe. She was stopped in Baltimore, however, and taken
back to her home.Before she was 16 years old, Archer debuted on stage
in Baltimore under theater manager John T. Ford. In 1879, billed as
Belle Mackenzie, "she had created the role of Cousin Hebe" when the
comic opera H.M.S. Pinafore premiered in Philadelphia. As early as
1881, she was performing in New York City in the play Won at Last. In
1882, she was signed to a three-year contract with Madison Square
Theatre, with her initial role that of heading the production of Hazel
Kirke. Archer became the leading lady for actor Charles H. Hoyt,
succeeding his wife, Caroline Miskel Hoyt. She also starred in A
Contented Woman, touring the United States for three years in that
production, and acted for about two years each with companies headed
by E.H. Sothern and Alexander Salvini.An article in the March 1899
issue of Munsey's Magazine credited Archer with being the first female
press agent. "Besides being a clever actress," it said, Miss Archer
has the distinction of having opened a new field for woman's work.
This was in 1893, when she went in advance of Carrie Turner as press
agent."
an American actress and singer. She was also known as Belle Mackenzie.
She was notable for starring in a three-year, cross-country touring
production of A Contented Woman and for creating the role of Cousin
Hebe in H.M.S. Pinafore.Archer was born in Easton, Pennsylvania, the
daughter of J.L. Mingle, a businessman with Western Union. She grew up
in Easton and was educated there. As a youngster, Archer ran away from
the Philadelphia Normal School with a friend with the goal of joining
a theatrical troupe. She was stopped in Baltimore, however, and taken
back to her home.Before she was 16 years old, Archer debuted on stage
in Baltimore under theater manager John T. Ford. In 1879, billed as
Belle Mackenzie, "she had created the role of Cousin Hebe" when the
comic opera H.M.S. Pinafore premiered in Philadelphia. As early as
1881, she was performing in New York City in the play Won at Last. In
1882, she was signed to a three-year contract with Madison Square
Theatre, with her initial role that of heading the production of Hazel
Kirke. Archer became the leading lady for actor Charles H. Hoyt,
succeeding his wife, Caroline Miskel Hoyt. She also starred in A
Contented Woman, touring the United States for three years in that
production, and acted for about two years each with companies headed
by E.H. Sothern and Alexander Salvini.An article in the March 1899
issue of Munsey's Magazine credited Archer with being the first female
press agent. "Besides being a clever actress," it said, Miss Archer
has the distinction of having opened a new field for woman's work.
This was in 1893, when she went in advance of Carrie Turner as press
agent."
Share this
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
Join us for free and get valuable content delivered right through your inbox.