According to "An International Dictionary of Theatre Language," (1985) ed.
Joel Trapido.
Star
1. A performer prominent in the theatrical world whose name takes priority in
the billing. The term was used as early as 1795 in Britain by the manager
Tate Wilkinson, who did not open his summer season..."unless with a
star...unless a Siddonian comet appeared..." The term seems at first to have
been used for a luminary out of his or her normal sphere, making a guest
appearance, usually in provincial theatre. Hence, the star system. In time
the term was applied to stellar performers at their home theatres. (Wilkinson
WANDERING I 84) Hence, star billing, stardom, star dressing room, star room,
star entrance, star part, star play, starring, star turn.
 
Florence Lawrence is credited as the first movie star since she was the first
to be billed by her own name in 1910 as part of a publicity stunt pulled off
by Carl Laemmle.
 
Cheers,
Amy Harper
Look It Up!
http://members.aol.com/lookitup1.index.htm
 
----
To signoff SCREEN-L, e-mail [log in to unmask] and put SIGNOFF SCREEN-L
in the message.  Problems?  Contact [log in to unmask]