Lewis Sealy
William Armiger Sealy Lewis, known professionally as Lewis Sealy, was an Irish actor and a film exhibitor.
Career
Sealy was a character actor. A native of Ireland, he worked on the London stage for years. He co-wrote and performed in the play A Heathen Goddess at the West London Theatre in 1894.In the 1890s, he was a film exhibitor, known for the "Royal Cinematoscope", which was the name under which he exhibited Birt Acres' Kineopticon.
He first came to New York in 1908, working as a stage manager and occasional actor as he had in London. His first play in New York was Captain Brassbound's Conversion. He had been a stage director for Lily Langtry and Olga Nethersole.
Having left family in Ireland and England, he apparently returned to work as a stage actor in London, before travelling once more to New York around 1915 to begin a career in film.
His film career included appearances in a number of silent features, in The Witching Hour. A Variety review noted that Sealy "brought a dignity commensurate with the role".
Death
He died on March 19, 1931. He was survived by a daughter and two sons. He was buried at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, New York.In popular culture
Sealy was portrayed by Sean O'Bryan in Chaplin.Stage work
London
As a stage manager:As You Like It Esther Sandraz Your Wife Miss Hoyden's HusbandAs an actor:A Heathen Goddess The Man in the Iron Mask as Officer The Chetwynd Affair The Merchant of Venice Fanny's First Play as Cecil SavoyardJohn Bull's Other Island as Corney Doyle