Ira Aldridge is regarded by many as the greatest Shakespearean actor of hisvtime. Although he was born and educated in America, black actors were more accepted overseas than in America in the 1830's.
Ira's parents did not want him to become an actor. They sent him away to Schenectady College so that he would not go on the stage. While there, he got a night job in a theater, and another black actor suggested that Ira try his acting skill in England. Eventually he got a starring role as Othello, the Moor of Venice. He was so outstanding in the role that he was soon playing other leads such as Macbeth and Shylock. His fame spread all over Europe. One man in the audience got so excited when Othello was supposed to be killing his wife that he jumped up and said that she was innocent. Just as Ira was planning to return in glory to the U.S., he fell ill and died.