Thomas A. Wise

English-born American stage actor who appeared in a few films. Wise began acting with a stock company in Dixon, California, and spent the next 45 years onstage. In 1875, he joined the William Gillette company and toured for twelve years, having a resounding success particularly in "The Private Secretary." His New York stage debut in 1888 was in "Lost in New York." He had a very successful run (two years) on Broadway in "Are You a Mason?". He was known as one of the most successful Falstaffs of his time. During his run in "Behold the Dreamer" in Chicago, he was taken ill and left the show to return to New York, where he died a month later from complications of asthma and heart disease. A long-time member of the actors club The Lambs, he was Shepherd of that organization at the time of his death.