James William Dodd

James William Dodd (1740?–1796) was an English actor, one of David Garrick's picked company.

[1] John Hoadly saw Dodd in The Jealous Wife and recommended him to David Garrick, who decided with James Lacy to engage him for Drury Lane Theatre.

Dodd's first appearance at Drury Lane took place 3 October 1765 as Faddle in Edward Moore's comedy, The Foundling.

He played also in low comedy, sang occasionally, and for benefits took on some serious characters, appearing on one occasion as Richard III.

[2] Among characters of which Dodd was the first exponent were Sir Benjamin Backbite in The School for Scandal, Dangle in The Critic, Lord Foppington in A Trip to Scarborough, and Adam Winterton in The Iron Chest.

The Iron Chest was a failure; George Colman the Younger, the author, laid the blame on John Philip Kemble, who played Sir Edward Mortimer.