Irving, Ethel (1869–1963)
Irving, Ethel (1869–1963)
English actress. Name variations: Birdie Irving; Ethelyn Irving. Born Frances Emily Irving, Sept 5, 1869, in England; died May 3, 1963, in Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, England; dau. of Joseph Irving (stage actor, died 1870); m. Gilbert Porteous (actor, died 1928).
Made stage debut in London under name Birdie Irving as a peasant in The Vicar of Wideawakefield (1885); made NY debut in The Red Hussar (1890), then remained there for 6 years; returned to London, appearing in The Babes in the Wood, San Toy, The Cherry Orchard, La Tosca, and most successfully as Winnie Harborough in The Girl from Kay's (1902), Mrs. Millament in The Way of the World (1904), Julie in The Three Daughters of M. Dupont (1905) and title role in Lady Frederick (1907); briefly managed the Criterion, then the Globe.