Item #16-4029 Lynn Fontaine and Alfred Lunt. Signed photograph. Lynn Fontaine, Alfred Davis Lunt Jr., 1977 1892 –August 3, 1887–1983.
Fontaine, Lynn (1887–1983); Alfred Davis Lunt Jr. (1892 –August 3, 1977

Lynn Fontaine and Alfred Lunt. Signed photograph.

Circa 1920s. Photograph on postcard. 13.5 x 8.7 cm

Signed by both in green ink.


Fontanne, Lynn (1887–1983)
British-born star of the American stage who, together with her American husband Alfred Lunt, formed the most celebrated acting couple in the history of the American theater. Born Lillie Louise Fontanne in Woodford, Essex County, England, on December 6, 1887; died on July 30, 1983; youngest of five daughters of Jules Pierre Antoine Fontanne (a French designer of printing type) and Frances Ellen (Thornley) Fontanne; attended local schools in various parts of London; studied acting under Ellen Terry (1903–05); married Alfred Lunt, Jr., on May 26, 1922; no children.,,,Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne are widely considered the greatest acting team in the history of American theatre. Not willing to simply coast on their extraordinary natural talent, the Lunts were consummate professionals. Their passion for excellence and commitment to the art of live theatre was legendary, even at the beginning of their careers. By the mid 1920s, Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne were the two most respected, most popular, most critically acclaimed, and highest-paid stage actors in the country. At the height of their individual careers, they made a remarkable decision. They each took enormous pay cuts (from $900 per week to $300 per week) to sign on with The Theatre Guild – a fledgling company dedicated to performing new and avant-garde work – by writers like Ibsen and Shaw. The Lunts believed strongly that creating great theatre with broad impact was far more important than money. But since they were taking such large cuts in salary, they were able to put two clauses into their contracts that would profoundly affect the rest of their lives and careers. Item #16-4029

Price: $150.00