Alfred Drake
About
Biography
Filmography
Family & Companions
Notes
Inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame in 1981.
Biography
Actor and baritone who played leading roles in landmark Broadway shows including "Oklahoma!" and "Kiss Me Kate." Drake's good-humored performance as Hajj, a street poet made Emir of Bagdad for a day, in the hit musical "Kismet" won him a well-deserved Tony in 1954. A commanding presence, Drake also performed well in straight drama, including several Shakesperean roles. He made regular TV appearances in the 1950s, sometimes in broadcast versions of his stage successes; the most notable of his few film roles was Claudius opposite Richard Burton's "Hamlet" (1964).
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Music (Feature Film)
Misc. Crew (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Life Events
1935
Made stage debut in the chorus of a production of "The Mikado"
1936
Was understudy and chorus performer in "White Horse Inn"
1937
Appeared on Broadway in "Babes in Arms"
1943
Achieved stardom on Broadway as Curly in "Oklahoma!"
1946
Made first notable film appearance, in the musical "Tars and Spars"
1948
Played Fred Graham (and Petruchio) in the Broadway stage musical "Kiss Me Kate"
1950
Playwriting debut, a translation of "Edward Eager"
1953
Enjoyed hit on Broadway as the Hajj in "Kismet"; recreated role in 1955 London staging
1953
Offered role of monarch of Siam in the musical "The King and I"; reportedly asked for a salary of $5000 per week which was deemed to high; Yul Brynner hired for part; replaced Brynner in role when former went on vacation
1957
Teamed with Katharine Hepburn in stage production of "Much Ado About Nothing"
1958
With Patricia Morrison, recreated stage leads in NBC "Hallmark Hall of Fame" production of "Kiss Me Kate"
1961
Portrayed famed actor Edmund Kean in the curious musical biography "Kean"
1964
Returned to films to play Claudius in an adaptation of "Hamlet", reprising stage role from the John Gielgud-directed modern dress version starring Richard Burton
1965
Once again played the Hajj in a revival of "Kismet"
1973
Inherited the Maurice Chevalier role in the Broadway musical adaptation of "Gigi"
1983
Returned to films to play the President of the Exchange in "Trading Places"
Family
Companions
Bibliography
Notes
Inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame in 1981.
