The Famous Faces of Clan Logan

While not in possession of the surname, Logan Lerman is perhaps the most famous Logan of today. He’s an American actor who is most famous for starring as Percy Jackson in the Percy Jackson series of films. His family having been primarily in the medical industry, Lerman was breaking tradition by pursuing a career in the arts. Though he originally intended on a creative writing degree from New York University, he ultimately gravitated toward acting. Some of his other film credits include The Perks of Being a Wallflower, 3:10 to Yuma, and The Number 23.

Celia Logan was a well known American actress and writer during the late 19th century. Having come from a family whose heritage included many actors and writers, she was primed for fame in these areas, despite being a woman. In her youth, she often appeared onstage in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. During the American Civil War, she ended up in Milan, Italy where her career path transitioned to writing, having begun transcribing for an Italian newspaper. She is, perhaps, most well known as the associate editor of Washington D.C.’s The Capital and for her playwriting, producing works such as The Odd Trick and An American Marriage. Celia Logan also provided aid to sufferers of the Irish famine through her involvement with the Ladies Lecture Bureau.

When we think of famous sports stars, what first comes to mind are football or rugby players. But, this month we’re celebrating Adam Logan -- a world Scrabble champion! Born in Canada in 1975, Adam Logan is a highly accomplished academic, having earned mathematics degrees from both Harvard and Princeton. He has held the titles of National Scrabble Champion, Top-rated North American Scrabble player, Canadian Scrabble Champion (five time!), and in 2005, he won the World Scrabble Championship.

You’ll probably recognize Phyllis as Mrs. Hughes from the hugely successful TV show and 2019 motion picture, Downton Abbey. Born in Renfrewshire, she spent most of her young life in Scotland, having attended the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. She won a BAFTA award for her role in Another Time, Another Place and in addition to her film work, her resume includes a lot of time spent on Scottish television and onstage in Edinburgh.

Cornelius Logan was an Irish-American journalist, actor, and playwright. Father of the previously mentioned Celia Logan, Cornelius began the familial line of writers and actors. He was first a writer and after spending time as a drama critic, he took to playwriting and even acting himself. Some of his works include Yankee Land, The Wag of Maine, and The Vermont Wool Dealer.

Deborah Logan, called “Debby” by her friends, was an early 19th century historian and writer. Though she came from a prominent American family, she still faced quite a lot of challenges as a female academic during this time. Her efforts eventually paid off as she became the first woman elected to membership of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Perhaps her most impressive work is a 4000 page diary, largely consisting of genealogical and historical documentation, primarily of the Logan and Norris families.

Jacqueline Logan, born in 1902, was an American stage actress and silent film star. She began her prominent career onstage in Chicago, but eventually moved to New York City to work on Broadway and with Ziegfeld dancer. In the 1920’s, she was a WAMPAS (Western Association of Motion Picture Advertisers) Baby Star, which was awarded to 13 young actresses who were believed to have great film careers ahead of them. Jacqueline did, in fact, go on to star in many films, including as Mary Magdalene in the 1927 The King of Kings.

Although he’s originally from Australia, Scott Logan may also be recognizable as a former Scotland international rugby league footballer. After playing with the Sydney Roosters for six years, he made his international debut by representing Scotland in the World Cup and eventually was named in the Scotland training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.