William Harris (theatrical producer)

William Harris (c. 1844 – November 25, 1916) was a prominent American theatrical producer who owned or held a large interest in some 50 theatres in New York City, Boston and Chicago.

Born in Prussia, William Harris was brought to the United States at age six by his father, who opened a clothing store in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Harris later produced plays with Klaw and Erlanger and Charles Frohman, often as a silent partner, and made stars of Andrew Mack, Elsie Ferguson, Rose Stahl,[1] Louis Mann and Clara Lipman.

Although he had been working toward retirement, he resumed the leadership of his business in 1912 after his elder son, Henry B. Harris, died in the sinking of the RMS Titanic.

[6] At the time of his death in 1916, Harris either owned outright or held a significant interest in some 50 playhouses in the United States.