(1875-1933)
Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, Courtenay made his acting debut in a Ten Nights in a Barroom touring company in 1892. Within the year he secured an engagement with Milton and Dolly Nobles, and soon distinguished himself enough to perform in support of Richard Mansfield. In 1902 he became leading man to Virginia Harned, whom he married in 1913. Regarded as a matinee idol, he played a long string of light comedies, capitalizing on his good looks.
The Historical Dictionary of the American Theater. James Fisher.