Vaughan Deering (May 2, 1891-March 19, 1978) was elected to The Lambs in 1923 as a Professional member. He was a Shakespearean actor who toured nationally. Born in Brooklyn as David W. Van Deren, Jr., his father was a journalist and publisher.
Vaughn’s grandmother, Elizabeth Van Deren, known professionally as Mrs. Deren, toured as Gertrude in the Edwin Booth production of “Hamlet.”
Vaughn toured as a member of the Robert Mantell Acting Company along with Lamb John Alexander. John played the male lead in the original Broadway cast of “Arsenic & Old Lace.”
He worked in Vaudeville and regional theater. Deering was an acting coach in Manhattan. Among his students were Lamb Bert Lahr, for his 1956 role in “Waiting For Godot,” Lamb Missy McMahon, Lucille Ball, and Bela Lugosi. He coached Lamb Horace McMahon in his role as Lieutenant Monaghan in the 1949 Broadway hit, “Detective Story.”
He resided at The Lambs clubhouse on West 44th Street for many years.
Beginning about 1950, Deering was a professor of acting at Fordham University in The Bronx, where he taught acting and directed student productions. He died at Calvary Hospital in The Bronx. He was 87.