Walter Hackett

Walter Laurence Hackett was an American playwright and theater manager who achieved major commercial success in both New York and London during the early twentieth century. Born in Oakland, California, Hackett led an adventurous early life, running away from a Canadian boarding school to become a sailor. Before finding his footing in the theater, he worked in diverse roles, including as a horse trainer, school teacher, and journalist for the Chicago American. His theatrical career began in earnest in 1901, followed by his first significant solo play, The Prince of Dreams, in 1902.

Hackett initially balanced journalism with playwriting, often collaborating with other writers. He secured his first Broadway successes with co-authored works such as The Regeneration and The White Sister. After a few box-office disappointments, he scored a major hit with the 1914 comedy It Pays to Advertise. That same era marked a pivotal personal and professional turn: in 1911, he married actress Marion Lorne, who became his muse. Hackett wrote numerous roles specifically for Lorne, and she starred in many of his most popular productions.

In 1914, Hackett and Lorne relocated to London, where they would remain for over twenty-five years. In the West End, Hackett became a dominant theatrical figure, earning the nickname Walter "Long Run" Hackett due to the extraordinary longevity of his productions. Among his most successful British hits were Ambrose Applejohn's Adventure, The Fugitives, and London After Dark. Following the outbreak of World War II, the couple returned to the United States, settling in New York City, where Hackett passed away in 1944.