George Spelvin
Encyclopedia
George Spelvin, Georgette Spelvin, and Georgina Spelvin are the traditional pseudonym
s used in programs in American theater. The reasons for the use of an alternate name vary. Actors who do not want to be credited, or whose names would otherwise appear twice because they are playing more than one role in a production, may adopt a pseudonym. Also actors who are members of the AFL-CIO
trade union of professional actors known as Actors Equity Association, but are working under a non-union contract and wish to avoid the significant penalties ranging from substantial fines to revocation of union membership that could result from working under non-union contracts, will also frequently use a pseudonym.
In some mystery plays and melodramas, this name has appeared in cast lists as the name of an actor (or actress) portraying a character who is mentioned in the dialogue but never turns up onstage: by crediting the role to "George Spelvin," the audience is not forewarned that the character never makes an entrance.
The name appeared on a cast list for the first time in 1886 in Karl the Peddler, a play by Charles A. Gardiner. "Georgina Spelvin" has fallen out of general use since it was adopted as a screen name by pornographic actress Michelle Graham
, who was credited by that name in The Devil in Miss Jones
(1973) and her subsequent films.
The 1927 musical play Strike Up the Band by George S. Kaufman and George and Ira Gershwin features a character named George Spelvin.
Another example of the name being used occurred in Players de Noc's production of "The Full Monty", about a group of men who try their luck as male strippers. A member of the production's orchestra, not wanting members of his church to find he was involved with such a risqué play, had his name credited as George Spelvin.
The one-act play The Actor's Nightmare
by Christopher Durang
features a main character named George Spelvin, and the January 27, 1942, episode of Fibber McGee and Molly
("The Blizzard") features a visit by a stranger calling himself George Spelvin (played by Frank Nelson
).
The columnist Westbrook Pegler
used this name in his writings; one of his books of collected columns is titled George Spelvin, American.
The name was used in an I Love Lucy episode "Don Juan is Shelved", and as the name of a character villain voiced by Peter Serafinowicz
and modeled after Atlantan
Ward Gass for the "Tragical History" episode of Archer
.
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
s used in programs in American theater. The reasons for the use of an alternate name vary. Actors who do not want to be credited, or whose names would otherwise appear twice because they are playing more than one role in a production, may adopt a pseudonym. Also actors who are members of the AFL-CIO
AFL-CIO
The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, commonly AFL–CIO, is a national trade union center, the largest federation of unions in the United States, made up of 56 national and international unions, together representing more than 11 million workers...
trade union of professional actors known as Actors Equity Association, but are working under a non-union contract and wish to avoid the significant penalties ranging from substantial fines to revocation of union membership that could result from working under non-union contracts, will also frequently use a pseudonym.
In some mystery plays and melodramas, this name has appeared in cast lists as the name of an actor (or actress) portraying a character who is mentioned in the dialogue but never turns up onstage: by crediting the role to "George Spelvin," the audience is not forewarned that the character never makes an entrance.
The name appeared on a cast list for the first time in 1886 in Karl the Peddler, a play by Charles A. Gardiner. "Georgina Spelvin" has fallen out of general use since it was adopted as a screen name by pornographic actress Michelle Graham
Georgina Spelvin
Georgina Spelvin is the stage name of Michelle Graham, a former American pornographic actress who is best known for her appearance in the classic film The Devil in Miss Jones.-Early life:...
, who was credited by that name in The Devil in Miss Jones
The Devil in Miss Jones
The Devil in Miss Jones is a pornographic film, written, directed and produced by Gerard Damiano and starring Georgina Spelvin. It is widely regarded as a classic adult film, released during the Golden Age of Porn. Damiano made the film after his 1972 success with Deep Throat...
(1973) and her subsequent films.
The 1927 musical play Strike Up the Band by George S. Kaufman and George and Ira Gershwin features a character named George Spelvin.
Another example of the name being used occurred in Players de Noc's production of "The Full Monty", about a group of men who try their luck as male strippers. A member of the production's orchestra, not wanting members of his church to find he was involved with such a risqué play, had his name credited as George Spelvin.
The one-act play The Actor's Nightmare
The Actor's Nightmare
The Actor's Nightmare is a short comic play by Christopher Durang. It involves an accountant named George Spelvin, who is mistaken for an actor's understudy and forced to perform in a play for which he doesn't know any of the lines.-Inspiration:...
by Christopher Durang
Christopher Durang
Christopher Ferdinand Durang is an American playwright known for works of outrageous and often absurd comedy. His work was especially popular in the 1980s.- Life :...
features a main character named George Spelvin, and the January 27, 1942, episode of Fibber McGee and Molly
Fibber McGee and Molly
Fibber McGee and Molly was an American radio comedy series which maintained its popularity over decades. It premiered on NBC in 1935 and continued until its demise in 1959, long after radio had ceased to be the dominant form of entertainment in American popular culture.-Husband and wife in real...
("The Blizzard") features a visit by a stranger calling himself George Spelvin (played by Frank Nelson
Frank Nelson
Frank Brandon Nelson was an American comedic actor best known for playing put-upon foils on radio and television and his "EEE-Yeeeeeeeeesssss?" catchphrase...
).
The columnist Westbrook Pegler
Westbrook Pegler
Francis James Westbrook Pegler was an American journalist and writer. He was a popular columnist in the 1930s and 1940s famed for his opposition to the New Deal and labor unions. Pegler criticized every president from Herbert Hoover to FDR to Harry Truman to John F. Kennedy...
used this name in his writings; one of his books of collected columns is titled George Spelvin, American.
The name was used in an I Love Lucy episode "Don Juan is Shelved", and as the name of a character villain voiced by Peter Serafinowicz
Peter Serafinowicz
Peter Szymon Serafinowicz is an English actor, comedian, writer, composer, voice artist and occasional director.-Early life:Serafinowicz was born in Liverpool, England. He attended Our Lady of the Assumption Roman Catholic Primary School and St Francis Xavier Secondary School...
and modeled after Atlantan
Atlantan
As a noun or adjective, Atlantan refers to persons or things pertaining the city of Atlanta, Georgia. The most common usage is as a noun, specifically meaning a person born or residing in Atlanta.Atlantan can also refer to:...
Ward Gass for the "Tragical History" episode of Archer
Archer (TV series)
Archer is an American animated television series created by Adam Reed for the FX network. A preview of the series aired on September 17, 2009. The first season premiered on January 14, 2010. The show carries a TV-MA-LSV rating....
.