Baker, Stuart

Persoon

Baker, Stuart

• Kent, Stuart

1924-1986

Stuart Baker was born in Sydney, Australia on November 9, 1924. Shortly after his father’s death in the mid-1920s, Baker and his mother moved to her original home in Kent, England. In 1940, Baker was evacuated and sent to live with relatives in Vancouver, BC, and later joined the Canadian Army. After demobilization, he returned to Vancouver and, in 1948, became involved with the St. James’ Players’ Guild, Vagabond Players and the Vancouver Little Theatre Association in addition to working at CBC radio. In 1948, Baker met Thor Arngrim at an audition for the Vancouver Little Theatre Company, and both were subsequently asked to act for the Everyman acting company. In 1950, Baker and Arngrim became the public relations team for the Vancouver Opera Theatre, newly formed by Peter Mannering. Baker and Arngrim later founded the Totem Theatre Company in 1951, and when their lease expired in 1953, moved the Company to Victoria. After its demise in 1954, Baker spent time living in several different provinces across Canada, but later returned to Victoria and became closely associated with the Bastion Theatre Company. During this time, he adopted the stage name Stuart Kent after his childhood home, due to the fact that Actors Equity states that no new member may use a name that is still in use by another member. He died in Victoria, BC on June 30, 1986.