Kendal, William Hunter

1843

1917

The actor and manager William Hunter Kendal (whose real name was Grimston) was born in London on 16 December 1843. He made his London debut as Louis XIV in “Life’s Revenge” at the Soho Theatre on 6 April 1861. Kendal played the following year at that theatre – renamed the Royalty – appearing with Charles Wyndham and Ellen Terry. He then was a member of the companies at Birmingham and Glasgow, at the latter place performing with Helen Faucit, Charles Kean and Dion Boucicault. In 1866 he was engaged by Buckstone at the Haymarket, where he remained until 1874, appearing mainly in young romantic leads such as Orlando in “As You Like It”, Romeo, Capt Absolute in “The Rivals”, Dazzle in “London Assurance” and Young Marlow in “She Stoops to Conquer”. In 1869 he married the actress Madge Robertson (q.v.), who was also a member of the Haymarket company, and thereafter they often appeared together. Kendal entered into partnership with John Hare, first at the Court and then at the St James’s, during which time he acted numerous roles. He also appeared at the Prince of Wales’s Theatre under the Bancrofts in 1876-78. Kendal was somewhat overshadowed in acting by his wife (who was made DBE in 1926, after his death), but he was by all accounts a fine actor and good businessman. He retired from the stage in 1908. Kendal died on 6 November 1917.