Olga Brandon

Olga Brandon was born Olga Lazzarevich in Redcastle, Victoria, Australia in 1863. After the death of her father Spiro in 1867, Olga and her sisters were placed in Our Lady’s Orphanage in Geelong, Victoria. Following their discharge, the family eventually settled in America. At just 14, Olga was very briefly married to Los Angeles photographer Valentine Wolfenstein. At 16 she married Herman Brandenstein in San Francisco, from whose surname she adapted her professional and personal name of ‘Brandon.’
From about 18, Olga began her theatrical career, apparently without any formal training. She moved to New York , where she made her major debut in 1884 in The Private Secretary. Full time acting ensued there until 1886 when she moved to London. Her career reached its peak in the early 1890s, with major roles in The English Rose, Judah and Hypatia. At this point, Olga was one of the highest paid actresses in London.
Her career went into decline in the late 1890s, with fewer roles and increasing illness from consumption (tuberculosis). She died from the disease and in great poverty in 1906. Olga is buried at St Pancras Cemetery in London.
I am currently researching and writing a full-scale biography of Olga’s life.
John Watts
jwatts@shcgeelong.catholic.edu.au

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