Stoddart was born in Yorkshire, the son of an actor at the Theatre Royal, Glasgow.

After acting in Britain (starting as a youth), he came to Wallack's Theatre in New York in 1854 -- his first appearance was in a small role in A Phenomenon in a Smock Frock.

He played and had his longest term success with A.M. Palmer's Union Square Theater stock company, with which he was connected for 20 years.

Generally a stock player, late in his career he also achieved stardom playing the role of Lachlan Campbell in the 1901 popular play The Bonnie Brier Bush.

Stoddart died at his home in Sewaren, New Jersey on December 9, 1907.