Joseph Jefferson.

On February 20, 1829, Joseph Jefferson was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, into a theatrical dynasty. His father, Joseph Jefferson II, was an actor and scene painter, and his grandfather, Joseph Jefferson I, was also a stage actor. His mother, Cornelia Frances Jefferson, was part of the family. Growing up surrounded by the stage, he began performing as a young child, launching a career that would span 76 years.

His signature role was Rip Van Winkle, which he adapted for the stage and performed for decades. In 1896, he reprised the role in several silent film adaptations, including Awakening of Rip and Rip’s Twenty Years’ Sleep. These films make him likely the earliest-born actor to work in motion pictures. After 1865, he created no other major role and toured exclusively with this play, establishing him as the definitive Rip Van Winkle of his era.

Joseph Jefferson married twice, both times to stage actresses. He first married Margaret Clements Lockyer on May 19, 1850, and they had five children. After her death, he married Sarah Warren on December 20, 1867. His children included actors William Winter Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson, and Charles B. Jefferson. His daughter Margaret married novelist B.L. Farjeon and was the mother of writer Joseph Jefferson Farjeon.

The Joseph Jefferson Awards, established in Chicago, are named in his honor. He remains one of the most famous 19th-century American comedians. His portrayal of Rip Van Winkle set the standard for the character. Actor Tony Randall named his son after Jefferson. Jefferson’s silent films are among the earliest known recordings of an actor born in the 1820s.