Maud Durbin

Most everyone knows of Moberlyan Brent Briscoe who has been in such TV shows as "Hell on Wheels" and "Community" and movies such as "Slingblade" and "The Dark Knight Rises." A few may even know Moberlyan Brad Hunt has appeared in TV shows from "The Wonder Years" to "The Bridge." Few though know that famous screenwriter, actress, and author Cornelia Otis Skinner's mother was from Moberly, and an actress and early screenwriter. She passed away 80 years ago on Christmas Day this year. Maud Durbin was a famous stage actress who also acted in a couple of silent films as well as an early screenwriter. She was also wife of actor Otis Skinner, who fathered their daughter. Cornelia Otis Skinner. Maud was born on November 9, 1871 in the 200 block of South Williams in Moberly, the oldest of seven children. She spent part of her childhood living on the edge of Huntsville, but most of her childhood was spent in Moberly. Her father, W.L. Durbin was born in Huntsville, and was mayor of Moberly 1875-1876. The family eventually moved to a home Maud's father had built for them at 202 South Clark Street in Moberly. According to her obituary in the Moberly Monitor-Index she was in school "very popular and had a joyous disposition that made everyone admire her." She showed an interest in acting at a young age competing in a contest in Apgar Opera House where she won first prize. While still a teen she studied under John McCullough a leading instructor at the time in Saint Louis. Her family then moved to Denver where she played in amateur theater. While acting in Denver, Madame Modjeska's troupe auditioned the actors and actresses in the amateur theaters in the city. Maud was chosen to play ingenue roles. All her life Maud was considered a quite beautiful woman, and somewhat of a sex symbol of the day. It was in the troupe she met her future husband, Otis Skinner.

Skinner and Maud traveled with Madame Modjeska for four years when Skinner decided to start his owning touring company. Skinner chose Maud as his leading lady. Skinner proposed in New Orleans, and they were married in 1895. Maud returned to Moberly when Skinner's acting company performed "Price Otto" at the Hegarty Opera House. Her most well know plays were done on Broadway and were "Prince Otto," "The Harvester," and "Pietro," the latter of which she co-authored. Maud stopped touring when her daughter Cornelia was born, and ceased acting when Cornelia was five. She did not take a part again until she acted in the silent film The Ne'er to Return Road which she wrote, and then Tom's Little Star, another silent film she authored..She died on Christmas Day in 1936 In New York City. She is said to haunt the Play and Players Theater in Philadelphia.

Maud Durbin as a young girl.