Ellaline Terriss was a renowned musical comedy star of the late Victorian Era, Edwardian Era, and Modern Era. Born Ellaline Lewin on April 13, 1871, in Stanley, Falkland Islands, she was the daughter of William Lewin, a sheep farmer, sailor, tea farmer, and actor, who later became a great success under the stage name "William Terriss."
Ellaline made her debut in 1888 and quickly became a critical and popular ingenue. She co-starred with Sir Seymour Hicks in numerous productions, including "The ShopGirl" (1894),"The Circus Girl" (1896),and "A Runaway Girl" (1898). The couple appeared on Broadway in the French farce "My Daughter-in-Law" in 1900.
Hicks became an actor-impresario and wrote successful musical comedies and light comedies, in which he and Ellaline appeared. He built the Aldwych Theatre and the Seymour Hicks Theatre, which later became the Gielgud Theatre. The couple toured South Africa in 1911, and Ellaline retired from the stage in 1917.
Ellaline made a return to the stage in 1925-26, appearing in "The Man in Dress Clothes" alongside her husband and daughter Betty Hicks. She first appeared in films in 1907, starring in two films with director Arthur Gilbert. She appeared in 16 films from 1914 to 1939, acting alongside her husband and other luminaries.
Seymour Hicks was knighted in 1934, making Ellaline "Lady Hicks." He died on April 6, 1949, in Hampshire, England, and Ellaline followed him on June 16, 1971, at the age of 100.
