JEFFERY V. THOMPSON - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 10/16/1978 - HFSID 300988

JEFFERY V. THOMPSON
While joyful at being asked to submit biographic information to Theatre World, he cautions editor John Willis on the spelling of his name. "Nothing is so irksome as your name in lights, misspelled." He was fighting a losing battle.
Autograph Letter signed: "Jeffery V. Thompson", [in cursive and again hand printed],1 page, 6½x9½. New York, N.Y., 1978 October 16. To John Willis, in full: "Let me begin by expressing my joy at being asked to submit my personal data for 'Theatre World'. It is indeed an honor. I hope the enclosed photos, resumes and form will give you the information that you need. [Items not included.] If not, please feel free to contact me, if I can be of any further service. Caution your staff that the spelling of my first name is J E F F E R Y (not Jeffrey). Nothing is so irksome as your name in lights, misspelled (smile). Again my thanks". When he wrote this letterJeffery V. Thompson, was making his Broadway debut in Eubie! This would be followed by appearances in Amen Corner (1983) and Uptown ... It's Hot (1986). He also appeared in the film version of Eubie! (1981), and in Purlie and Wolfen the same year. He would reappear on the big screen in The Shadow Conspiracy (1997). His TV credits in the new millennium include Law & Order, NYPD Blue and - most recently - Conviction(2006). Thompson's hopes for correct spelling of his name have not been consistently honored. A search on Internet Broadway Database will not yield results for him unless you misspell his name there: Jeffrey.Theatre World, founded in 1945 by Daniel Blum, is America's oldest annual record of Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional theatre, referenced by industry professionals, historians, students and theatre fans worldwide. Until 1998, when a separate nonprofit corporation was established, Theatre World's editorial staff bestowed the prestigious Theatre World Awards for outstanding Broadway and Off-Broadway debuts. Screen World (from 1950) and Dance World (from 1966), administered from the same office, furnished comprehensive information on those entertainment genres. John A. Willis (1916-2010), active in Theatre World from the beginning, became its chief editor in 1965, holding that position until 2008. Willis is regarded as one of the foremost theatre and film historians of the 20th century. While producing (and presenting) the annual Theatre World Awards, Willis also served on the nominating committee for the Tony Awards. Theatre World, which received its own Tony for Excellence in Theatre in 2001, continues under chief editor Ben Hodges. Fine condition.