Members of the film and stage community were out in full
force at the first day dedication of the Jose Ferrer commemorative stamp hosted
at the Players Club in New York City .
He is the 14th luminary celebrated in the Postal Service’s Distinguished Americans series.
Actors, directors, family and close friends shared their
personal memories and stories of Ferrer, lauded as one of the most accomplished
talents of his generation.
Ferrer, who was born in Puerto Rico and raised in New York
City, appeared in more than 60 films, directed numerous films, appeared in
singing roles on the opera stage, wrote for theater and television and produced
many Broadway and off-Broadway plays.
He won the first Tony award for Best Actor in 1947––the
inaugural year for the awards––for playing the lead in the Broadway production
of Cyrano de Bergerac. He reprised his stage role for film in 1950, and won the
Oscar for best actor (the first for a Hispanic). He remains one of the few
actors to ever win a Tony and an Oscar for playing the same character on stage
and in film.
“What could be more fitting than dedicating the Ferrer stamp
here at the Players, the prestigious New York Actors club where he served as
president for more than a decade,” said Mgr. Marketing Raschelle Parker.
Two tables and six retail associates were stationed at the
rear of the grand room where Jose Ferrer first day covers, cancellations and
other commemoratives were available for purchase. Supv. Special Events Deborah
Hart estimates the New York District sold more than $3800 worth of philatelic
items in less than three hours.
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| Families, friends and Postal officials unveil Jose Ferrer stamp at the Players Club in Manhattan April 26, 2012 |