Scope and arrangement
The Jeremiah Sullivan papers document his professional and personal life with scripts, correspondence, photographs, production materials, personal files, and diaries. Scripts consist mostly of scripts from plays, films, and television shows Sullivan appeared in. Scripts may also include other production-related items such as programs, photographs, clippings, and notes. Scripts are arranged alphabetically by title.
Personal correspondence consists largely of letters written to Sullivan between 1958 and 1992, and a smaller number of letters written by him. These letters provide a rich insight into the attitudes and opinions of Sullivan and his friends and family. They cover such topics as celebrity biographies, movies, literature, gossip, the AIDS crisis, politics, the economy, rehearsals and performances of Sullivan's and of his correspondents, relationships, astrology, and restaurants. Sullivan's most frequent correspondents are theatrical photographer Joseph Abeles, actor Richard Easton, actress Katharine Houghton, writer G. Matthew Jones, and other friends such as Parker Beretta, John Colenback, Joseph Fouqua, Paul Giovanni, Sheila LaFarge, John Vollertsen, and Tom Yourczak. Also present is Sullivan's correspondence with family members including his brother, Ron Haas; his stepfather, Charles J. Haas; his mother, Mrs. C.J. Haas; and his father, Victor Sullivan. Personal correspondence files may also include photographs, articles, and poetry. There is also professional correspondence with various agents, producers, and directors regarding Sullivan's career and talents, and correspondence with theatre companies negotiating theatrical engagements. Professional correspondence may include contracts. Correspondence is foldered by correspondent, and is arranged in original order.
Photographs contain headshots, rehearsal shots, and production and publicity shots. There are also candid photographs of Sullivan and various friends, including many of G. Matthew Jones. The original order of the photographs has been maintained.
Personal files document Sullivan's second career as an astrologer, with astrological charts, instructions, writings, and notes. Sullivan created charts for himself, for friends, and for various celebrities. Personal files also document Sullivan's early life and education with editions of The Portsmouth Raven, the school magazine of Portsmouth Priory School, which Sullivan edited; a Portsmouth Priory prayer book; a syllabus and assignments for a class taught by Susan Greenhill and Martin La Platney; and Sullivan's 1957 yearbook from Harvard University. The original order of the personal files has been maintained.
Sullivan's personal diaries document his day to day activities, from 1965 to 1992, with appointments and notes. They also elucidate Sullivan's attitude to life and to acting through longer form diary entries in which he describes and analyzes interactions with friends and lovers; and discusses the development of his career, through the process of auditioning, rehearsing, and performing a role. The diaries are closed to researchers until 2020. Personal diaries are arranged in chronological order.
Published books include The Derwent Story: My First Fifty Years in the Theatre in England and America, by Clarence Derwent, given to Sullivan on the occasion of his winning the Clarence Derwent Award; Helen Hayes' autobiography, A Gift of Joy, inscribed to Sullivan by Hayes herself; and a copy of The Red and the Black annotated by Sullivan. Published books are arranged alphabetically by title.
There are also reel to reel tapes, videocassettes and audiocassettes, including a demo tape of Sullivan's and a videocassette featuring G. Matthew Jones. Audio/visual materials may be subject to preservation evaluation and migration prior to access.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged in the following groups: scripts, correspondence, photographs, personal files, diaries, and autographed books.