KEENE CURTIS - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED - HFSID 300524

KEENE CURTIS
Very warm thank you letter to John Willis, chief editor of Theatre World, for placing Curtis on the cover of the publication. "It's an honor of such distinction ... that it will give me something to live up to all my life."
Autograph Letter signed: "Keene", 1 page, 5x4¼ folded, 5x8½ open flat card illustrated with a print of an Elizabethan theatre. No place, no date. To "Dear Jack" [John A. Willis], in full: "I've been looking for a long time for something special to give you that might express how proud I am to be placed on the cover of Theatre World. It's an honor of such distinction, I feel, that it will give me something to live up to all my life. I only hope over the coming years I can be worthy of it, and do you proud as well. I am deeply appreciative and love you a lot." American character actor KEENE CURTIS (1923-2002) had some of his greatest successes on stage, winning a Tony as Best Featured Actor in a Musical for The Rothschilds (1970) and scoring an Obie nomination for The Cocktail Hour (1988). He made a few feature films, including American Hot Wax and Heaven Can Wait, but his most frequent presence was as a TV guest star, often a recurring visitor. He appeared as John Allen Hall in 15 episodes of Cheers (1990-1993). Curtis was also a frequent voice over in animated series, including Lord Balthazar in The Smurfs (1981-1989). 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.