The Booths were a well-known acting family. The elder Junius Brutus Booth came from England and his three sons, Junius Brutus, Jr., Edwin, and John Wilkes each had remarkable careers. When J.B. Jr., appeared at the opening at Maguire's Opera House July 3, 1863, in Virginia City Nevada, he appeared with a number of big names in theater, and his billing was large on the poster.

John Wilkes Booth was a big name, by virtue of his own career and that of his family. People knew who he was when his name surfaced in association with the assassination. See also the wiki article for additional images.

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