Laurence Hanray | WatchedThis

Laurence Hanray

Laurence Hanray

Acting

Biography

Laurence Hanray (16 May 1874 – 28 November 1947), sometimes credited as Lawrence Hanray, was a British film and theatre actor born in London, England. He is also credited as the author of several plays and music hall songs. Laurence Hanray was born Lawrence Henry Jacobs in St John's Wood on 16 May 1874, the son of Angelo Jacobs (c. 1851-1910), a glass manufacturer, and Leah (née Nathan; 1850/1851 - 1946). His father changed his name to Angelo Jacobs Hanray, and with it the family name, after becoming bankrupt in 1897, although Laurence had been using the name Hanray professionally from at least 1892, when he appeared as a member of the Hermann Vezin Theatre Company in supporting roles in Hamlet and Macbeth at Her Majesties Theatre, Dundee. Australian newspapers show he was in Australia and New Zealand from around 1901-04, appearing as Carraway Bones the undertaker in the farce Turned Up at the Theatre Royal, Perth, in May 1901, and subsequently at most of the main cities until June 1904. Travel records show him departing Sydney for Auckland in August 1901, and sailing from Sydney for London on 7 October 1904. He then resumed touring in Britain. In the 1911 census, Laurence Hanray (36), actor, is listed as residing at the Woolton Hall Hydropathic Hotel, Much Woolton, Lancashire, England. Hanray married Dorothy Mary Chambers Farnsworth (1884-1918) in the Birkenhead district during the first quarter of 1914. She petitioned for divorce in 1917, but then died suddenly in London on 16 August 1918. Hanray married Lois Grace Heatherley (1892-1966) in Paddington during the same quarter his first wife died. Lois was also an actress and performed with Laurence at the Booth Theatre, Broadway, in 1921. They were also together in The Faithful Heart, she as Ginger and Laurence as Major Lestrade, at the Comedy Theatre, Haymarket. Travel records then show the couple arriving in New York in September 1922. He appeared in John Galsworthy's play Loyalties at the Gaeity Theatre on Broadway. They arrived in Liverpool in May 1923. The couple also played together in Escape at the Booth Theatre, Broadway in 1927, she as Miss Grace and he in multiple roles (the Fellow Convict, the Old Gentleman and the Farmer). Laurence and Lois had a daughter, Ursula Susan Edith Hanray, on 16 November 1923. According to travel records, the family visited America from September 1927. Laurence also went on his own to Canada in September 1931, and also during 1939-1940. Ursula became a child actress, playing the title role in the first televised production of Alice Through The Looking Glass in 1937, and the young Queen Victoria in a London theatre in 1940. Hanray worked almost up to his death; The Times reported in early September 1947 that he was to appear in a play at Dunfermline Abbey Theatre. He died at age 73 on 28 November 1947, following an operation at the Middlesex Hospital, London. Lois Grace Hanray died aged 74 on 25 April 1966.

Filmography Movies

Acting

Leap YearMOVIE
MOVIE

Leap Year

9.0(0.0K)
Leap Year
Hope
His Grace Gives NoticeMOVIE
MOVIE

His Grace Gives Notice

9.0(0.0K)
His Grace Gives Notice
Mr Greyling
Poster for The Private Life of Henry VIII
MOVIE

The Private Life of Henry VIII

6.4(0.1K)
The Private Life of Henry VIII
Archbishop Cranmer
Poster for Hatter's Castle
MOVIE

Hatter's Castle

5.8(0.0K)
Hatter's Castle
Dr. Lawrie
Many WatersMOVIE
MOVIE

Many Waters

9.0(0.0K)
Many Waters
Poster for My Learned Friend
MOVIE

My Learned Friend

6.2(0.0K)
My Learned Friend
Sir Norman
Poster for It's Never Too Late to Mend
MOVIE

It's Never Too Late to Mend

6.2(0.0K)
It's Never Too Late to Mend
Lawyer Crawley
Poster for Murder at Monte Carlo
MOVIE

Murder at Monte Carlo

9.0
Murder at Monte Carlo
Collum
Poster for Moonlight Sonata
MOVIE

Moonlight Sonata

7.0(0.0K)
Moonlight Sonata
Mr. Bishop
Poster for The Three Maxims
MOVIE

The Three Maxims

9.0(0.0K)
The Three Maxims
Thomas

Gallery

Laurence Hanray portrait