Biography of steve mills vaudevillians

Shakespearian actor who appeared in a vaudeville sketch entitled which he wrote himself. Former baseball player who appeared in a sketch in with a monologue and short dance. He reappeared with his daughters in Apollon arrived in the US from Russia in Finding success in vaude, Apollon appeared as an emcee at the Palace and also appeared with his Filipino Orchestra on the last two-a-day program there, May 7, Macklyn Arbuckle.

Character actor who toured vaudeville in the sketch, The Welcher in Arbuckle made his stage debut in Shreveport, Louisiana in and his New York debut in He found success playing "homespun" type characters and eventually he moved into film, creating the San Antonio Pictures Corporation. Arbuckle was a portly comic actor who was mentored by vaudeville veteran, Leon Errol.

After leaving the stage, Arbuckle became a well-known comedian in silent films, eventually partnering with Buster Keaton. His career was destroyed by accusations that he murdered a young actress. Following two trials ending in hung juries and a final trial that acquitted him, Arbuckle's career was ruined. He would not return to motion pictures until Pianist, musician and composer.

Mexican-American singer and actress discovered while performing with her sister, Dolores, in Los Angeles. Actress from the legitimate stage who appeared at the Palace in May in a sketch called Liberty Aflame. As well as working onstage, Arthur made 10 silent films from to Adele and Fred Astaire. The duo first appeared in vaudeville in , but as Fred was underage, the duo did not return until , when they toured many vaudeville circuits.

Comedian known for his portrayals of comic, stuttering characters. Ates later appeared in films. Tap dancer in a noted dance act with Charles "Honi" Coles. Later Atkins became a choreographer for Motown. An actor, Atwill toured with Lillie Langtry as her leading man in the play, Ashes during Following his stage career, Atwill worked in Hollywood, appearing in many horror films during the s and s.

His career was cut short by a scandal involving an orgy at his home where a young woman was raped. Singer and songwriter who first appeared in vaudeville in the early s. He performed as one of the first "crooners. Broadway actor who, following a season in vaudeville went to Hollywood where he became a director with Warner Bros. Singer and actress who followed vaudeville with a career onstage, on film and on TV.

Baker first ventured onstage with the encouragement of actor, Jacob Adler and later, producer, Lew Leslie. Her debut in vaudeville was in Scranton, Pennsylvania at the age of 15 and she debuted in big-time vaudeville at Hammerstein's Theatre in New York in As a singer and actress, she established her name in vaudeville as "The Ragtime Singer.

Following that she left the US to become a dancer and singer in the cabarets and nightclubs of Paris. Pianist, accordionist and comedian who began in a double act with Ben Bernie on violin. Originally a serious musical act, over time it developed comic elements. Following their split, both comedians became successful in their own right. Baker headlined at the Palace in and He later enjoyed a career on Broadway in musicals and later radio.

Balasis family acrobatic act. Acrobats performing in vaudeville, variety shows and circuses in Europe, US, and Canada from c. Accompanist, singer and songwriter known for writing sentimental ballads, usually with Irish themes such as " When Irish Eyes Are Smiling. After seeing an aerialist in a circus, Vander Clyde or Van der Clyde his real name desired to become one.

He responded to an ad in Billboard for the Alfaretta Sisters, an aerial act, who were looking for a replacement member. He began dressing as a female on their encouragement and continued to do so after leaving the act. In , he traveled to Britain and then Paris, where he became the talk of the town. He toured Europe and returned to the US to continue in vaudeville.

Following his stage career, Barbette continued to work with performers for various circuses. Actor and minstrel. Appeared at the age of 9 with the minstrel troupe of Barlow, Wilson, Primrose and West. Later he became a film actor. The Barrison Sisters. Jimmy Barry. Actress who appeared in "tab" versions of her hits in the legitimate theatre as well as one-act plays.

Barrymore's debut in vaudeville was in the one-act play, Civilization by Richard Harding Davis at the Palace Theatre the week of April 28, He also toured in The Still Voice in Actor on the "legitimate stage", Barrymore made his vaudeville debut in a one-act version of Augustus Thomas' play, A Man of the World , and headlined many other sketches.

Barton later became a noted popular music singer. James Barton. Comic dancer who made his stage debut at the age of 2. Barton appeared in vaudeville at the age of 4, working steadily in stock and repertory theatre as well. His New York stage debut was in The Passing Show of and from there on he appeared in many musicals during the s, appearing in vaudeville between roles.

Diminutive, juvenile actor, Barty originally appeared in film. He appeared in vaudeville with his sisters in an act called "Billy Barty and His Sisters", where he played the drums and did impressions. Later, Barty founded two service organizations for people with dwarfism. Pianist, bandleader and composer. Before the age of 20, Basie was touring on the Keith circuit and later, the Columbia Burlesque and T.

Additionally, she would play vaudeville houses in between engagements. Bates debuted in with Augustin Daly 's company later working with David Belasco. Singer and comedian who toured with her husband, Jack Norworth from to Actress with her husband, Francis X. Bayne and Bushman, following successful careers in silent films, appeared at the Palace in a comedy sketch, Poor Rich Man.

The couple toured vaudeville throughout the s. Unable to revive her film career in the late s, following her divorce from Bushman, Bayne worked the rest of her life onstage. Violin and steel lap guitar player. Beauchamp developed the first commercially available electric guitar. Known for his Italian characters. Beban began playing French characters but once he began working in film, he played Italian characters.

His initial act involved recitation of a poem called, "Mia Rosa. Beban signed with silent film director and producer, Thomas Ince , after his work in vaudeville and appeared in a number of films including a version of The Sign of the Rose called The Alien. Comic actor, Bell began his stagework as a singer, but eventually made his mark as a comedian.

Bell was the leading comic in Lillian Russell 's company and spent much of his later life in plays and vaudeville. A lyric soprano, Bell's vaudeville career included the B. Keith Circuit. Guitarist and banjo player with a number of bands, Benjamin would become a major songwriter following his work in vaude. Built and performed with marionettes, later did voice impressions with Le Roy Brothers Marionettes.

Trapeze artist and later silent film actress, Bennett, following a career in vaudeville, entered film in and worked through the end of the age of silent films. Comedian and actor, known for his comedic violin playing a leftover from his stage routine and for constantly presenting the idea that he is 39 years young. Comedian and actor known for playing Sidney Spritzer, the wise-cracking heckler of fellow vaudevillian Milton Berle , and for being a frequent guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.

Comedian and actor, later known as "Mr. Musician and songwriter. Actor, "Dutch" comedian and monologist known for his German characterizations. In , Bernard toured the British music hall circuit later appearing at the Palace in January and March Violinist and comedian. Had an act with Phil Baker. Besser first began in show business as a song plugger and magician's assistant.

He worked his way up to being a comedian and headlined with acts such as Olsen and Johnson. After appearing on radio, Besser appeared on film and was a member of the Three Stooges for two years. Actress of the "legit" stage, Bingham appeared in vaudeville at the Palace in July in Big Moments from Great Plays , which included excerpts from six plays.

Bingham was discovered by a traveling actor while she was waiting tables in her father's hotel while on break from Ohio Wesleyan University. Following her Broadway debut in , Bingham was noted for her sparkling performances in comedies and melodramas. In addition to her performances, Bingham also managed the Bijou Theatre in New York beginning in and organized her own stock company.

Actress and comedian who was discovered in an orphanage. Bird toured with the group for some time before creating an act with another girl called, "The King Sisters" which toured the Keith-Orpheum circuit. After vaudeville began to fade, Bird toured in musicals and comedies and on the nightclub circuit. She also worked in film and on television.

Stage cartoonist billed as Komikal Kartoonist in an act with his friends Albert E. Smith the Komikal Konjuror and Ronald A. Reader who operated a magic lantern. Husband and wife comic duo composed of Winfield Blake and Maude Amber. She joined her parents' act at 3, leaving the act in for Broadway and later Hollywood. Dancer and actor known for his "loose-limbed, comic" dancing style.

Best known film role is the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz. Male impersonator, Bonehill first appeared on the American vaudeville in She worked heavily in the British music hall as well as playing the principal boy in British pantomimes. Chanteuse and musical theatre star. She traveled to the US and began appearing on the vaudeville and the Broadway stages in The following year she toured the Orpheum circuit with Melville Ellis in tow as both accompanist and costume designer.

From to 28, Bordoni appeared in a number of Broadway musicals but in vaudeville in her spare time. She appeared at the Palace in May and November and September After her retirement, she made occasional appearances on Broadway before dying while on tour in the musical, South Pacific. Also known as Borromeo Lou. A Filipino jazz pianist who performed at the Orpheum Circuit in the late s.

He returned to the Philippines in the s where he popularized bodabil, a localized variant of vaudeville. Actor appearing in a sketch from the play Sea Wolf. Bosworth was already an accomplished stage actor having worked with the companies of McKee Rankin and Augustin Daly as well as with some of the leading ladies of the day. After contracting tuberculosis , Bosworth traveled west and became a leading man at the Belasco Theatre in Los Angeles, where he also founded the Hobart Bosworth Institute of Dramatic Arts.

He entered silent films in and created Bosworth Incorporated in order to create feature films based on the works of Jack London. Actor and comedian, started in films as a child and later appeared as comic foil in numerous feature films. Baseball player who appeared with the Boston Red Sox Quartette in She appeared in a double act with Lester Allen.

Elizabeth Brice. When she performed in vaudeville with Charles King they were known as Brice and King. Comedian and singer known for comedic songs, except for " My Man ", and her portrayal of bratty Baby Snooks. Starred in a vaudeville skit by George Kelly entitled Mrs. Wellington's Surprise. After beginning as a comedian in vaudeville, Brockman worked in musicals before settling in Hollywood as a songwriter.

Singer-comedian who made her stage debut in the chorus of the Ziegfeld Follies of After becoming a comedian, she developed a caustic, wisecracking style and appeared in both musical comedies and vaudeville. Later Broderick worked in Hollywood. Singer, pianist and songwriter. Many of Brooks' songs were composed for vaudeville singer, Sophie Tucker and among them, the song, "Some of These Days", which became one of Tucker's best known songs.

Her recording of this song was selected in to be added to the National Recording Registry , ensuring its preservation in the Library of Congress. Drama critic who worked as a monologuist in vaudeville and appearing at the Palace. Broun began working for the New York Tribune in and went to serve as the drama critic for the New York World from to and also as the drama editor for Vanity Fair.

Joe E. Brown was accompanist to performer, Alice Doll, and toured with her on the Orpheum Circuit. Certainly one of his best known songs is " Singin' in the Rain ", which he wrote with lyricist, Arthur Freed. Trombonist and leader of Tom Brown's Band from Dixieland. Also put together the vaudeville band, the "Five Rubes" which disbanded shortly thereafter.

Female impersonator with a brief career; headlined at the Palace in Former baseball player who was in a quartet with 3 other baseball players around Actress, known best for her marriage at the age of 16 to Edward Browning, a year-old real estate mogul. Shortly after their marriage, Peaches filed for divorce and her fame lead her to appear in vaudeville.

Later a Hollywood director who directed Dracula and Freaks. Actor and comedian who was one half of the duo Matthews and Bulger. Starred in several Broadway musicals. Trio of singing sisters consisting of Dagmar Brock, born Josephine and later called Bobbe — May 2, , Kathleen, later known as Patricia June 14, — , and Eunice, later called Lorayne d.

Buck and Bubbles. Later worked with Gene Autry and performed onscreen in Westerns. Their radio and television shows proved their enduring popularity, thanks in part to Gracie's scatterbrained publicity stunts. Actor, comedian and singer mostly in Yiddish vaudeville with his family. Burstein, his kids and his wife, Lillian Lux are profiled in the documentary, The Komediant.

Actress and comedian who found success in American vaudeville and later appeared in a number of Laurel and Hardy films. Actor who toured with his wife, actress Beverly Bayne. Following his initial silent film career in Hollywood, where he had become a matinee idol , Bushman and Bayne appeared at the Palace in the comedy sketch, Poor Rich Man in and toured various circuits throughout the s.

Bushman returned to Hollywood and continued work in film. Comic duo composed of Jodie Edwards — and his wife, Susie Hawthorne — Their act was composed of duets and comedy routines about marital troubles. The duo was active on the T. Actor, before winning an Oscar , Cagney dressed in drag for a comedy act with four other actors. After several other bit parts on the stage, Cagney was spotted by Al Jolson while appearing in the musical Penny Arcade and was soon signed to a Warner Bros.

Musician and bandleader. Most famous song is " Minnie the Moocher ". Patrick Campbell. Actress from the legitimate stage who appeared in vaudeville in Expiation a Russian tragedy. Comedian and singer. Singer and comedian who often appeared in blackface. Comic actor who appeared in vaudeville in in A Slice of Life where he played Mr. Carle debuted on the New York stage in and performed primarily in musicals until when he left the stage for vaudeville.

Comic dialectician. Later worked on Broadway and in films of the s where he was partnered with comic Wally Brown. Known as The Mother of the Accordion. Actress of the legitimate stage who toured vaudeville in the role of Zaza, one of her most famous roles from the play by David Belasco. Singing comedian who first appeared in vaudeville at Proctor's 23rd Street Theatre in New York in From onwards, she performed mostly in vaudeville.

Juvenile actress billed as Baby Peggy. Vernon and Irene Castle. Ballroom dance team consisting of Vernon May 2, — February 15, and his wife, Irene April 17, — January 25, Introduced such dances as the foxtrot and tango to U. Later, he joined Haverly's Minstrels in and worked in vaudeville as a Dutch dialect comedian. He continued working in musical comedies and in , made his screen debut.

Anna Chang. Actor and Singer. Began singing on the stage at the age of six. Active from the - 's. Actor and comedian, toured the US with the Fred Karno troupe in and — before being signed by Mack Sennett the following year. Comedian whose act was to seemingly eat all manner of inedible objects, such as matches and paper in reality he would turn upstage and spit them into his oversized top hat.

Comedian who worked with Joe Cook. Trumpeter, singer and bandleader who toured T. It was known as the worst act in vaudeville and audiences often attended to hurl produce and catcalls at them. Frank Christian. Chung Hwa Four. Singing quartet. Members included E. Donsang, L. Alaaron, James Oh Chung and H. Performed as the Chong Hwa Three after Alaaron left the group.

Chung Ling Soo. Singer-comedian Ina Claire made her vaudeville debut in impersonating Harry Lauder. Her first appearance on the musical stage was in and she debuted at the Palace Theatre in He alternated between working for the Shuberts with stints on the burlesque wheel. He ended his run in This Was Burlesque in after suffering a stroke, where he lost his speech.

His last Broadway appearance was in in Arthur Whitelaw's production of 70, Girls, He worked locally in Warwick, Rhode Island , where he had a home, and in Boston, his hometown, in a series of burlesque shows produced and directed by Abagail Mills. He retired from the theater, and then remained in his home in Warwick, Rhode Island.

Biography of steve mills vaudevillians

Mills died on March 9, , in Warwick, Rhode Island. He is buried in Rhode Island. Contents move to sidebar hide. Article Talk. Read Edit View history. Tools Tools. When George Walker died an early death, Bert Williams went on to further triumphs as an artist and was widely admired by peers and audiences of all colors, in spite of the prejudices of the times.

Houdini: The great magician and illusionist was not only influential among his peers in the invention of new tricks, stunts and escapes, but he was a towering innovator in the field of self-promotion, one of the reasons his name remains a household word to this day. Houdini was so influential in his time, he had scores of imitators and even impostors using close variations on his name e.

Nor was he able to become a major movie star like many of his peers and acolytes. But in his time he was considered King. The monologue at the top of every late night comedy tv show can be traced back to the Great Faysie. Eva Tanguay: Tanguay pushed the envelope in terms of content, becoming notorious for both her onstage and offstage behavior, but in a way that was also kind of crazy and funny.

Oddly, Tangay may be even more influential in our time than in hers. Countless modern stars take the path blazed by Tanguay; in her own time few performers dared. Fred Karno: Karno is the man who trained and developed Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel and dozens of others who are lesser known today, and so his impact extended well beyond the vaudeville stage — it would come to reach millions through motion pictures.

Thus they were at the center in a cultural revolution. There were entire product lines with their branding on them. Gus Edwards: Edwards was the premiere producer of vaudeville kiddie acts. Not only were his sketches and productions widely imitated on vaudeville stages, but the young people he presented in those acts grew up to become stars themselves, among them people like Eddie Cantor , Groucho Marx , George Jessel , Eleanor Powell, and dozens of others.

We occasionally show images depicting the practice, or refer to it in our writing, because it is necessary to tell the story of American show business, which like the history of humanity, is a mix of good and bad. Like Like.