American actor, whose real name was Gibbs, born in Boston, MA, on the 27th of February 1810, and made his first appearance there as Jaffier in Venice Preserved. He soon found that his true vein was in comedy, particularly in old-men parts. When in London in 1847 he was well received both by press and public, and played with Macready. He was the leading actor at Wallacks from 18611888. He died on the 17th of June 1889.
See William Winters Life of John Gilbert (New York, 1890).