There have always been actors whom the public has taken to their hearts and loved.
But there are anonymous actors so unknown that they aren't even permitted to perform under their own names. George Spelvin is such a person.
Spelvin has been appearing on Broadway since November 15, 1886, racking up thousands of performances in hundreds of plays -- sometimes appearing simultaneously in as many as nine plays on The Great White Way (and in other American cities).
With such prolificacy, it's no wonder Spelvin has his own day today.
But how does he do it -- and yet still remain unknown? The answer is simple: He doesn't exist.
Since 1906, "George Spelvin" has been the name used by producers when an American actor plays more than one role in a play and wishes to keep that fact a secret. In Britain, "Walter Plinge" fills the same role. (He has his own day on December 2).
Not existing hasn't stopped Walter, George, or Georgette Spelvin
(their female counterpart) from working; they've all had healthy careers on
stage and screen. One job has eluded them, though; they've yet to be directed by Alan Smithee in a play
by David Agnew.
Suggested Sites...
- George Spelvin Award - presented by the Masquers in honor of America's most prolific actor.
- Internet Broadway Database: George Spelvin - lists the last 75 years of live performances.
- New York Times: Who is George Spelvin? - from 1916, one of Mr. Spelvin's earliest profiles
- Internet Broadway Database: Walter Plinge - some of Walter's non-West End appearances.
- Wikipedia: George Spelvin - profile of the actor known for being unknown.
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