List of vaudeville performers: L–Z

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This is a partial list of vaudeville performers. Inclusion on this list indicates that the subject appeared at least once on the North American vaudeville stage during its heyday between 1881 and 1932. The source in the citation included with each entry confirms their appearance and cites information in the performance notes section.

Contents

Vaudeville was a style of variety entertainment predominant in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Developing from many sources, including saloon shows, minstrel shows, freak shows, dime museums, British pantomimes, and other popular forms of entertainment, vaudeville became one of the most popular types of entertainment in America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Vaudeville took the form of a series of separate, unrelated acts each featuring different types of performance, including classical and popular musical acts, dance performances, comedy, animal acts, magic and illusions, female and male impersonators, acrobatic and athletic feats, one-act plays or scenes from plays, lectures, minstrels, or even short films. A vaudeville performer is sometimes known as a "vaudevillian".

L

NameBirthDeathNationalityPerformance notesReference
Wilton Lackaye September 30, 1862August 22, 1932AmericanActor. [1]
Bert Lahr August 13, 1895December 4, 1967AmericanPart of the comic act Lahr & Mercedes, a comic act. Later gained fame as an actor in films, most notably as the Cowardly Lion in the 1939 film, The Wizard of Oz . [2] [3]
Leona LaMar October 26, 1883April 22, 1941AmericanMentalist [4]
Bessie Lamb c. 1878October 30, 1907AmericanSinger and mimic. Credited with bringing ragtime to vaudeville. [5]
Professor Lamberti January 9, 1892March 13, 1950AmericanBorn Basil Garwood Lambert. A skilled xylophone player who entered vaudeville as a serious musician, but he soon added comic effects to his act. [6] [7]
Dorothy Lamour December 10, 1914September 22, 1996AmericanActress in a Fanchon & Marco revue. [8]
Burt Lancaster November 2, 1913October 20, 1994American Oscar-winning actor, who started out in his teens an acrobat with Nick Cravat, Lang & Cravat. [9]
Harry Langdon June 15, 1884December 22, 1944AmericanComedian who formed an act called "Johnny's New Car" with Rose Francis in 1903 and toured the Orpheum Circuit until finding greater success in silent films. [10]
Lillie Langtry October 13, 1853February 12, 1929BritishActress, widely known as the mistress of Edward VII. [11]
Grace La Rue June 14, 1895July 17, 1971AmericanDancer and singer. [12] [13]
Jesse L. Lasky September 13, 1880January 13, 1958AmericanActor who later co-founded Paramount Pictures with Adolph Zukor. [14]
Alfred Latell January 19, 1887April 4, 1951AmericanAnimal impersonator. [15]
The Lassiter Brothers19041988AmericanWarren and Francis Lassiter performed acrobatics, dance and comedy in the Publix and Taka Chance vaudeville troupes. [16]
Elsie Newlin Lassiter19041985AmericanChorus girl Taka Chance Vaudeville Troupe. [16]
Sir Harry Lauder August 4, 1870February 26, 1950ScottishSinger and comedian from the British Music Hall who made 22 tours of the US. [17]
Hazel Bess Laugenour 18991960AmericanToured vaudeville with a swim tank act, promoting her swimming films. [18]
Stan Laurel June 16, 1890February 23, 1965BritishMusic Hall comedian who toured America with the Karno Troupe and stayed behind, along with Charlie Chaplin to enter films. Later teamed with Oliver Hardy (January 18, 1892 – August 7, 1957) to form Laurel and Hardy. [19]
Joe Laurie Jr. 1892April 29, 1954AmericanMonologist and comedian. [20] [21]
Al Lee AmericanComedian and "straight man" for Eddie Cantor. [22]
Gypsy Rose Lee February 9, 1911April 26, 1970AmericanDancer and actress. [23]
Jane and Kathryn LeeScottishSister act with Jane (1912 – April 20, 1957) and Kathryn (b. 1909). [24]
Lila Lee July 25, 1901November 13, 1973AmericanActress. [25]
Richard LeGrand August 29, 1882June 29, 1963AmericanActor.
Lillian Leitzel 1891?February 15, 1931Hungarian [26]
Charles Le Maire 18971985AmericanA former vaudeville performer, Le Maire began working on costumes for Broadway shows in 1921. While in New York, he designed costumes for the Ziegfeld Follies, George White's Scandals and Earl Carroll's Vanities. By the mid-1940s he was a costume exec and wardrobe director with Twentieth Century Fox where he was nominated for 13 Academy Awards and won 3. [27]
Dan Leno December 20, 1860October 31, 1904BritishConsidered one of the greatest British Music Hall comedians who first toured the US in 1897. [28]
Eddie Leonard October 18, 1883July 29, 1941AmericanBlackface minstrel. [29]
Ruggero Leoncavallo April 23, 1857August 9, 1919ItalianComposer and conductor. Toured with an Italian symphony orchestra. [30]
Mervyn LeRoy October 15, 1900September 13, 1987AmericanSinger. Later a Hollywood director and producer. [31]
Stella LeSaint December 17, 1881September 21, 1948AmericanActress with her own vaudeville troupe, Stella Razeto and Company.
Joan Leslie January 26, 1925October 12, 2015AmericanSinger, began performing at the age of nine with her sisters in an act called, "The Three Brodels." She worked briefly as a model and by 1936 was in Hollywood as a child star billed as Joan Brodel. In 1940, she signed with Warner Bros. as an ingenue. [32]
Lew Leslie 18861963AmericanSinger; and did a "patter act."
The Great Lester 18781956AmericanSinger, pianist, comedian and actor. [33]
Ethel Levey November 22, 1880February 27, 1955AmericanActress and singer. Wife of George M. Cohan from 1900-1906. [34]
Ted Lewis June 6, 1890August 25, 1971AmericanBandleader, clarinetist and singer known for using the phrase, "Is everybody happy?" He appeared in small-time vaudeville before 1917. He appeared in a singing duo ("Giesler & Lewis") and later toured with his dance band, appearing at the Palace in 1919, billed as "The Jazz King." He appeared at the Palace again in the late 1920s. [35] [36] [37]
Tom LewisAmericanComedian. [38]
J. Aldrich Libbey February 29, 1864April 29, 1925AmericanActor, singer, launched "After the Ball" [39] [40]
Winnie Lightner September 17, 1900March 5, 1971AmericanSinger known as "The Song-a-Minute Girl." [41]
Beatrice Lillie May 29, 1894January 20, 1989CanadianComedian, known for her absurd double entendres. [42]
John Lind 18771940AmericanFemale impersonator, often billed as "Lind?." [43]
Jack Little May 28, 1900April 9, 1956BritishBandleader, singer and songwriter. [24]
Little Tich July 21, 1867February 10, 1928BritishComedian, patter-singer and dancer. [44]
Mary Livingstone June 23, 1905June 30, 1983AmericanComedian and wife of Jack Benny.
Alice LloydOctober 20, 1873November 16, 1949BritishSinger and sister of Marie Lloyd. [45]
Marie Lloyd February 12, 1870October 7, 1922BritishSinger. [46]
Cecilia Loftus October 22, 1876July 12, 1943BritishActress, mimic and singer. [47]
Marie Loftus 24 November 18571940Britishactress and singer. [48]
Ella Lola 2 September 1883AmericanDancer who also appearance in some Kinetoscope productions. [49]
Guy Lombardo June 19, 1902November 5, 1977CanadianBandleader, best known for his "Auld Lang Syne" every New Year's Eve. [50]
Long Tack Sam 1885ChineseMagician and acrobat. [51]
Vincent Lopez December 30, 1895September 20, 1975AmericanPianist and bandleader. [52]
James Loster January 1, 1894April 20, 1948AmericanAcrobat and part of James and Vernie Loster vaudeville act. Married to Vernie Loster. Real name was James Fitzpatrick. [53]
Montagu Love March 15, 1877May 17, 1943BritishActor.
Edmund Lowe March 3, 1890April 21, 1971AmericanActor. He later married vaudevillian, Lilyan Tashman.
Ed LowryFebruary 1, 1898August 17, 1983AmericanComedian and saxophonist. [54]
Scooter Lowry December 19, 1919May 1, 1989AmericanActor, singer, dancer, and celebrity impersonator [55]
Edna Luby October 12, 1884October 1, 1928AmericanCelebrity Impersonator [56]
Nick Lucas August 22, 1897July 28, 1982AmericanSinger and guitarist. [57]
Sam Lucas 1850January 5, 1916AmericanMinstrel, actor, singer and comedian. He and his wife were among the first African-Americans to play vaudeville. [58]

M

NameBirthDeathNationalityPerformance notesReference
Moms Mabley March 19, 1894May 23, 1975AmericanComedian billed as "The Funniest Woman in the World."
Adelaide Macarte 18791908BritishPart of the trapeze and strongwoman act the Macarte Sisters
Cecilia Macarte 1880BritishPart of the trapeze and strongwoman act the Macarte Sisters
Julia Macarte 18781958BritishPart of the trapeze and strongwoman act the Macarte Sisters
June MacCloy June 2, 1909May 5, 2005AmericanActress and singer who appeared in the Earl Carroll Vanities and the George White Scandals. Later she appeared in vaudeville.
Jeanette MacDonald June 18, 1903January 14, 1965AmericanSinger and actress.
Machinson Sisters BritishBritish take on the Barrison Sisters.
Willard Mack September 18, 1873November 18, 1934CanadianActor. [59]
Violet MacMillan March 4, 1887December 29, 1953AmericanActress.
Fred MacMurray August 30, 1908November 5, 1991AmericanActor, got his start by touring with the California Collegiates as a saxophonist. [60]
Uncle Dave Macon October 7, 1870March 22, 1952AmericanBanjo player, singer, songwriter and comedian. In 1916, a talent scout for the Loew's circuit heard him play in Birmingham, Alabama and booked him to tour the circuit in the South. [61]
Joe MaddenAugust 30, 1908November 5, 1991AmericanJuggling Comedian, clown, and character actor. [62]

[63]

Will Mahoney February 5, 1894February 8, 1967AmericanComedian and xylophonist. [64]
Marjorie Main February 24, 1890April 10, 1975AmericanActress and comedian. Later a character actress in many films. [65]
Boots Mallory October 22, 1913December 1, 1958AmericanDancer and later a Ziegfeld girl. Mallory debuted in vaudeville as the banjo player for a girls' band at the age of 12. By the age of 16, she was working as a dancer and she made her screen debut in 1932. [66]
Edna Malone February 1, 1899CanadianDancer.
Leon Mandrake 19111993CanadianMagician.
George Mann December 2, 1905November 22, 1977AmericanTaller half of the comedic and acrobatic dance act, Barto and Mann. [67]
Martha Mansfield July 14, 1899November 30, 1923AmericanActress.
Rabbit Maranville November 11, 1891January 5, 1954AmericanBaseball player who appeared in vaudeville in an act with Eddy McHugh. [68]
Fay Marbe February 4, 1899June 2, 1986AmericanSinger and dancer. [69]
Marceline and Sea LionBritishAn act with a sea lion and its trainer. The act appeared in the mid-1920s. [70]
Baby Rose Marie August 15, 1923December 28, 2017AmericanAt the age of three, Rosie Marie Mazzetta started performing as a singer and dancer in vaudeville under the name "Baby Rose Marie." At five, she left vaudeville to become a radio star on NBC and after that made a series of films. Later, as Rose Marie, she appeared in both films and television series.
Pauline Markham May, 1847March 20, 1919British-AmericanSinger, dancer and actress
Pigmeat Markham April 18, 1904December 31, 1981AmericanComedian, singer, dancer and actor.
Rube Marquard October 9, 1886June 1, 1980AmericanBaseball player who appeared in vaudeville in 1911 with Annie Kent. He appeared twice with Blossom Seeley and later with Billy Dooley. [71]
Sara Martin June 18, 1884May 24, 1955AmericanBlues singer. Martin toured vaudeville in the Chicago area around 1915 and then New York in 1922. [72]
Marx Brothers AmericanComic team of five brothers: Chico Marx (March 22, 1887 – October 11, 1961), Harpo Marx (November 23, 1888 – September 28, 1964), Groucho Marx (October 2, 1890 – August 19, 1977), Gummo Marx (October 23, 1893 – April 21, 1977) and Zeppo Marx (February 25, 1901 – November 29, 1979). [73]
Will Maston 19031975AmericanDancer and singer. Toured with Sammy Davis, Sr., father of Sammy Davis, Jr. [74]
Christy Mathewson August 12, 1880October 7, 1925AmericanBaseball player who appeared in vaudeville with catcher Chief Meyers in an act with May Tulley called Curves. [71]
Virginia Mayo November 30, 1920January 17, 2005AmericanActress. Appeared in an act with Andy Mayo. Best known for her roles in Warner Bros. film noirs such as White Heat .
Winsor McCay September 26, 1867(?)July 26, 1934AmericanCartoonist and animator who toured vaudeville with his creation, Gertie the Dinosaur. [75]
Bessie McCoy 1888August 16, 1931AmericanSinger and dancer known as "The Yama-Yama Girl." [76]
Paul McCullough 1883March 25, 1936AmericanComedian who teamed up with Bobby Clark. [77]
Owen McGiveney May 4, 1884July 31, 1967BritishQuick-change artist. [78]
Terry McGovern March 9, 1880February 22, 1918AmericanBoxer who held world bantamweight and featherweight titles. [79]
Tex McGuire February 29, 1909August 2, 1992AmericanGuitar, banjo and dobro player. [80]
McIntyre and HeathAmericanMinstrel duo composed of James McIntyre (1857–1937) and Thomas Heath (1852–1938). [81]
Victor McLaglen December 10, 1886November 7, 1959British-American Academy Award-winning actor, appeared also as a boxer and acrobat. Later became famous in films working as a character actor mostly under John Ford's direction. [82]
Aimee Semple McPherson October 9, 1890September 27, 1944AmericanEvangelist. [83]
Raquel Meller March 10, 1888July 26, 1962SpanishChanteuse. [84]
Rose Melville January 30, 1867October 8, 1946AmericanSinging-comedian. [85]
Adolphe Menjou February 18, 1890October 29, 1963AmericanActor and comedian, later known as a character actor in films such as the original A Star Is Born .
Ethel Merman January 16, 1909February 15, 1984AmericanSinger and actress, possibly the most the pre-eminent star in Broadway musicals. [86]
Chief Meyers July 29, 1880July 25, 1971AmericanBaseball player who appeared in vaudeville with catcher Chief Meyers in an act with May Tulley called Curves. [71]
Vera Michelena June 16, 1885August 28, 1961AmericanMusical actress and dancer. [87]
Charles B. Middleton October 3, 1874April 22, 1949AmericanCharacter actor who often played commanding or villainous characters in films in the 1920s. [88]
Lizzie Miles March 31, 1895March 17, 1963AmericanBlues singer. Toured the south in theatres and circuses. She also toured with minstrel shows. [89]
Miller and LylesAmericanComic duo and well known comic writers. Duo was composed of Flourney E. Miller (April 14, 1887 – June 6, 1971) and Aubrey L. Lyles (1884 - July 28, 1932). [90]
Emmett Miller February 2, 19001962AmericanMinstrel and singer noted for his yodel-like falsetto voice.
Marilyn Miller September 1, 1898April 7, 1936AmericanDancer, starred in several Ziegfeld shows such as Sally, Sunny, and Rosalie where she played the all-American girl to full extent. Also appeared in numerous editions of the Ziegfeld Follies. [91]
Mills Brothers AmericanVocal quartet with John Jr. (1911–1936) basso and guitarist, Herbert (Apr. 1912 - April 12, 1989) tenor, Harry (August 19, 1913 – June 20, 1982) baritone, and Donald (April 29, 1915 – November 13, 1999) lead tenor. The famed vocal group began in small-time vaudeville and worked their way up to the big-time, appearing at the Palace the week of January 23, 1931. [92] [93]
Florence Mills January 25, 1896November 1, 1927AmericanComedian, singer and dancer. [94]
Borrah Minnevitch and His Harmonica RascalsRussian Borrah Minnevitch put together this act with midgets playing harmonicas. This act is credited with popularizing the harmonica in America. [95]
Rhea Mitchell December 10, 1890September 16, 1957AmericanActress.
Tom Mix January 6, 1880October 12, 1940AmericanSharpshooter who joined the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch Wild West Show in 1909. He appeared in Western films starting in 1910 and when he appeared at the Hippodrome in New York, 1928, he broke all attendance records. [96] [97] [98]
Marshall Montgomery1886September 30, 1942AmericanComic musician and ventriloquist. [99]
Montrose and AllenAmericanComic duo consisting of Billy Allen and his wife, Belle Montrose (April 23, 1886 – October 26, 1963). [100] [101]
Florence Moore 1886March 23, 1935AmericanSinger-comedian. First female emcee at the Palace. [102]
Tim Moore December 9, 1887December 13, 1958AmericanComedian and actor. Child act on the Keith Circuit, "The Gold Dust Twins" with Romeo Washburn, 1897 to 1899. Husband and wife team: Tim and Hester Moore, 1908 to 1915 (Southern Consolidated Circuit); and Tim and Gertie Moore, 1915 to 1927 (Dudley Circuit, Orpheum Circuit, Fuller Circuit, New Zealand, and T.O.B.A. circuit. Music hall tours of Great Britain on the Empire circuit; tours of New Zealand on the Fuller Circuit (1917-1919). "Tim Moore's Chicago Follies' tours on the T.O.B.A. circuit, 1921 to 1925. "Rarin' to Go," on the Columbia Burlesque Wheel, 1925 to 1927.
Victor Moore February 24, 1876July 23, 1962AmericanComedian, later became famous as a character actor on both stage and screen. [103]
Polly Moran June 28, 1883January 25, 1952AmericanActress and comedian, best known for her films opposite Marie Dressler. [104]
Mantan Moreland September 3, 1902September 28, 1973AmericanActor and comedian, performed on the "Chitlin Circuit" for many years.
Helen Morgan August 2, 1900August 8, 1941AmericanSinger and actress, known for reinvigorating the torch song with her performance in Show Boat and for leading a somewhat tragic life. [105]
Clara Morris March 17, 1849November 20, 1925CanadianActress. [106]
Johnnie Morris June 15, 1887October 7, 1969AmericanComedian and actor.
Lily Morris 1884October 3, 1952BritishSinging-comedian. [107]
Ernie Morrison December 20, 1912July 24, 1989AmericanDancer.
Lee Morse 1904December 16, 1954AmericanBlues singer known for her trademark yodeling. [108]
Charles Morton January 28, 1907October 26, 1966AmericanActor.
James J. Morton December 25, 1861April 10, 1938AmericanComedian known as "The Boy Comic." [108]
Jelly Roll Morton September 20, 1885July 10, 1941AmericanPianist, bandleader and composer, one of the founders of modern-day jazz.
Mosconi Brothers AmericanDance duo consisting of brothers Louis (1895-1969) and Charles Mosconi (1892-1975). [109]
Bennie Moten November 13, 1894April 2, 1935AmericanJazz pianist and bandleader of Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra. Count Basie was recruited to play piano with the band in 1929. Moten toured on the T.O.B.A. circuits. [110] [111]
Ona Munson June 16, 1903February 11, 1955AmericanSinger and actress. [112]
Billy Murray May 25, 1877August 17, 1954AmericanSinger.
J. Harold Murray February 17, 1891December 11, 1940AmericanSinger. [113]
Jan Murray October 4, 1916July 2, 2006AmericanComedian, later known for his appearances on The Hollywood Squares and many TV variety shows.
Ken Murray July 14, 1903October 12, 1988AmericanActor and singer. Served as the emcee at the Palace. [114]

N–O

NameBirthDeathNationalityPerformance notesReference
Alfred Næss April 26, 1877July 6, 1955NorwegianSpeedskater who toured with Austrian skater, Frieda Meyer (c. 1890 – 1976).
Conrad Nagel March 16, 1897February 24, 1970AmericanActor, began as an acrobat in vaudeville but switched professions. Later became a matinee idol once signed to MGM. [115]
John Nash March 7, 1828October 13, 1901BritishBritish Music Hall performer, first to tour the US. [116]
Mary Nash August 15, 1884December 3, 1976AmericanActress.
Carrie Nation November 25, 1846June 9, 1911AmericanLeader in the Temperance movement. [117]
Alla Nazimova May 22, 1879July 14, 1945RussianActress, known for her flamboyant acting style and offscreen life. [118]
Harriet Nelson July 18, 1909October 2, 1994AmericanSinger and actress. Wife of Ozzie Nelson and mother of Ricky Nelson.
Ozzie Nelson March 20, 1906June 3, 1975AmericanBandleader for the Ozzie Nelson band. Husband of Harriet Nelson (the band's singer) and father of Ricky Nelson.
Evelyn Nesbit December 25, 1884January 17, 1967AmericanDancer. Nesbit was the focal point of a love triangle between her lover, architect Stanford White and her husband, millionaire Harry K. Thaw. Following White's shooting death at the hands of Thaw, Nesbit became a popular attraction onstage. [119]
Alfred Newman March 17, 1900February 17, 1970AmericanPianist. Later a film composer, conductor and music director.
Fred Niblo January 6, 1874November 11, 1948AmericanMinstrel and blackface monologuist. Niblo began touring with George M. Cohan's troupe and appeared in some of his Broadway shows. After marrying Cohan's sister, Josephine, Niblo moved to Hollywood where he worked with Thomas Ince as an actor and moved on to directing. His wife, Josephine died in 1916 under odd circumstances creating a feud between Cohan and Niblo. | [119] [120] [121]
Nicholas Brothers AmericanTap dancers, brothers Fayard (October 20, 1914 – January 24, 2006) and Harold (March 27, 1921 – July 3, 2000). Found greater fame appearing in such movies as Stormy Weather and Sun Valley Serenade . [122]
Alice Nielsen 18721943AmericanOperatic singer.
Marian Nixon October 20, 1904February 13, 1983AmericanFormer vaudeville chorus girl who entered films in 1922. [123]
Karyl Norman June 13, 1897July 23, 1947AmericanFemale impersonator billed as "The Creole Fashion Plate." [124] [125]
Bobby North February 2, 1884August 13, 1976AmericanSinger, dancer, actor and Jewish comedian. [126]
Ruby NortonAmericanSinger accompanied by Clarence Senna. [127]
Red Norvo March 31, 1908April 6, 1999AmericanXylophonist with Paul Whiteman. [128]
Jack Norworth January 5, 1879September 1, 1959AmericanSinger and actor. Husband of Nora Bayes. [129]
Annie Oakley August 13, 1860November 3, 1926AmericanFamed sharpshooter, later the subject of the Broadway musical and film Annie Get Your Gun .
Buck O'Brien May 9, 1882July 25, 1959AmericanBaseball player who appeared with the Boston Red Sox Quartette in 1912. The quartet included Hugh Bradley, Marty Hale and Bill Lyons. [71]
Donald O'Connor August 28, 1925September 27, 2003AmericanActor, dancer, and member of The O’Connor Family—Royal Family of Vaudeville. [130]
Pasty O'Connor January 23, 1930July 4, 2017AmericanSinger, dancer, and member of "The O’Connor Family—Royal Family of Vaudeville. [131]
Geoffrey O'Hara February 2, 1882January 31, 1967CanadianSinger and songwriter. [132]
Walter O'Keefe August 18, 1900June 26, 1983AmericanSinger and songwriter.
Chauncey Olcott July 21, 1858March 18, 1932AmericanActor, minstrel, and monologist. [133]
Charley O'Leary October 15, 1882January 6, 1941AmericanFormer baseball player who had an act with Germany Schaefer. [134]
Olsen and Johnson AmericanComic duo with Ole Olsen (November 6, 1892 – January 26, 1963) and Chic Johnson (March 15, 1891 – February 28, 1962). Biggest success came with the revue Hellzapoppin' . [135]
Patrick H. O'Malley Jr. September 3, 1890May 21, 1966AmericanActor.
Nance O'Neill 18741965AmericanActress. [59]
Original Creole OrchestraAmericanEarly jazz band also known as the Original Creole Band and the Original Creole Jass Band. The 11 member band included the founder, Bill Johnson (August 10, 1872 – December 3, 1972), on mandolin and cornetist Freddie Keppard (February 27, 1890 – July 15, 1933). In 1916, Victor offered to record the orchestra, which would have made them the first jazz band to record, but they refused. [136]
Michael O'Shea March 17, 1906December 4, 1973AmericanToured with Jack Johnson's vaudeville show in 1923 and worked on the legit stage. O'Shea worked as a leading man in films in the 1940s and 1950s. [137]
Jack OstermanApril 8, 1902June 8, 1939AmericanComedian known as the "Bad Boy of Broadway" In the 1920s Osterman was earning $1750 a week as a headliner and revue star. He played the Palace in March 1924 and April 1932. He also appeared in a number of musical comedies. [138]
Jack Owens, The Cruising Crooner October 17, 1912January 26, 1982AmericanSinger.

P–Q

NameBirthDeathNationalityPerformance notesReference
Earl Palmer October 25, 1924September 19, 2008AmericanSinger and dancer who toured in vaudeville with Ida Cox. In 1947, Palmer took up the drums and became a noted drummer. [139]
Harry Palmer July 12, 1889October 5, 1972AmericanActor and comedian in a comic duo with Jo Hayden, Palmer and Hayden.
Eddie Parkes1893July 24, 1985AmericanSong and dance man. [140]
James Parrott August 2, 1898May 10, 1939AmericanSinger and comedian.
Tony Pastor May 28, 1837August 26, 1908AmericanSinger and actor. Credited as one of the founders of vaudeville. [141]
Signe Paterson 1890Aug 15, 1963Swedish-AmericanDancer; popularized the Hula and Shimmy on American stages. Sometimes billed as Signe Patterson or Signe Petterson.
Isabella Patricola 1886May 23, 1965AmericanSinger; at height of her fame billed simply as "Patricola" or as "Miss Patricola". Full name Isabel or Isabella Patricola. [142]
Hank Patterson October 9, 1888August 23, 1975AmericanPianist and actor.
Pauline?1874November 11, 1942AmericanStage hypnotist who was billed simply as Pauline? (with a question mark). [143]
Edna Payne December 5, 1891January 31, 1953AmericanActress.
John Payne May 23, 1912December 6, 1989AmericanSinger, later became one of Fox Studio's frequent leading men in their movie musicals.
Eddie Peabody February 19, 1902November 7, 1970AmericanBanjo player. [143]
Jack Pearl October 29, 1894December 25, 1984AmericanComedian once teamed with Ben Bard. [144]
Peerless Quartet AmericanAll-male vocal quartet.
Peerless Trio19171921AmericanComposed of Tom Rosa (Thomas Savage), Mazie Berto (Bertha Mae DeCroteau), Anna Vincet (Suzette Carsell). Suzette Carsell became known as the "Mother of the Accordian[ sic ]"
Joe Penner January 5, 1879September 1, 1959Hungarian-AmericanComedian, known for his catchphrase "Wanna buy a duck?". [50]
Ann Pennington December 23, 1892November 7, 1971AmericanDancer known as "The Girl With the Dimpled Knees." [145]
Jack Pepper June 14, 1902April 1, 1979AmericanA juvenile comedian, Pepper appeared in vaudeville in the mid-1920s with his sisters, Helen and Winnie Mae and Frank Salt in an act called "Salt and Pepper." In 1929, Pepper made his film debut in an MGM short film. [146]
Olga Petrova May 10, 1884November 30, 1977BritishKnown for her undefinable act which might include acting, recitations or singing. [147]
Molly Picon June 1, 1898April 5, 1992AmericanActress, known for her Yiddish songs and skits and close ties to the Jewish community. [148]
Polaire May 13, 1879October 14, 1939FrenchSinger and actress. [149]
Daphne Pollard 18921978AustralianComedian and actress. [150]
The Ponce Sisters AmericanPopular singing duo in the mid-1920s and early 1930s.
Rosa Ponselle January 22, 1897May 25, 1981AmericanOperatic soprano. She toured with her sister, mezzo-soprano Carmella, as "Those Tailored Italian Girls." [151]
Beulah Poynter June 6, 1883August 13, 1960AmericanActress, 1913 skit Dear Doctor [152]
Eleanor Powell November 21, 1912February 11, 1982American Tap dancer and actress who started with Gus Edwards. Later found greater fame after signing with MGM. [112]
Evelyn Preer July 16, 1896November 27, 1932AmericanSinger and actress.
George E. PriceJanuary 5, 1900May 10, 1964AmericanSong and dance man. [153]
Kate Price February 13, 1872January 4, 1943IrishActress who toured vaudeville with her husband, Joseph Price Ludwig.
Primrose and West AmericanBlackface song and dance team composed of George H. Primrose (November 12, 1852 – July 23, 1919) and Billy West. [154]
F. F. Proctor March 17, 1851September 4, 1929AmericanJuggler. Later Proctor would be a major vaudeville impresario. [155]
Eva Puck November 27, 1892October 25, 1979AmericanSinger-comedian and dancer. [156]
Mae Questel September 13, 1908January 4, 1998AmericanActress and comedian, best known as the voices of Betty Boop and Olive Oyl. [157]
Eddie Quillan March 31, 1907January 19, 1990AmericanActor with family act the age 7. [158]

R

NameBirthDeathNationalityPerformance notesReference
Jackie Rae May 14, 1922October 5, 2006CanadianSinger and songwriter, began performing with his brother, Saul (December 31, 1914 – January 9, 1999) and sister, Grace, at the age of three. The three performed as The Three Little Raes of Sunshine.
George Raft September 26, 1901November 24, 1980AmericanActor, began as a dancer in the Orpheum and Keith circuits and in Texas Guinan's nightclub. [159]
Ma Rainey September 1882December 22, 1939AmericanBilled as the "Mother of the Blues." [160] [161]
Esther Ralston September 17, 1902January 14, 1994AmericanActress and comedian who made her appearance in her parents' act at the age of 2. At 14, she made her screen debut and following a few small roles eventually became one of America's highest paid stars of the era. Appeared at the Palace the week of June 14, 1930. [97] [162]
Marjorie Rambeau July 15, 1889July 6, 1970AmericanActress. [59]
Sally Rand January 2, 1904August 31, 1979AmericanDancer known for her famous fan dance which had Rand arrested several times, most notably at the 1933 World's Fair. Rand also danced with a bubble and dressed as Lady Godiva, horse and all. [163]
Amanda Randolph February 2, 1896August 24, 1967AmericanSinger and comedian best known for her television work. In Shuffle Along (1924) and one of the "Three Dixie Songbirds". [164] [165]
Isabel Randolph December 4, 1889January 11, 1973AmericanStage, radio, film and television actress who began in vaudeville as a child, performing with her parents. [166]
Doris Rankin 18801946AmericanActress who appeared in a tab sketch of How Do You Know? in 1925. She was the daughter of McKee Rankin and wife of Lionel Barrymore.
Joey Rardin19151972AmericanOne Man Band, James Cagney Impersonator. Vocalist and Emcee. known as the Mighty man of mirth. Toured with Ben Bernie and a few other big bands.[337}
Albertina Rasch October 2, 1967AustrianDancer who headed a ballet troupe. [167]
Enrico Rastelli December 19, 1896December 13, 1931ItalianJuggler and acrobat. [168]
Zelma Rawlston October 30, 1915German-AmericanSinger and comedian, specializing in male impersonation. [169] [170]
Don Raye March 16, 1909January 29, 1985AmericanSong and dance man and songwriter.
Martha Raye August 27, 1916October 19, 1994AmericanComedian and actress born in Butte, Montana where her vaudevillian parents had been stranded. Raye debuted with her parents at the age of 3 and by 13 was touring as a singer in a band. Raye first began working in film in 1935. [171]
Ada Reeve March 3, 1874September 25, 1966BritishLight comedian and singer. [172]
Al Reeves May 30, 1865February 26, 1940AmericanSinger and banjo player. [173]
Wallace Reid April 15, 1891January 18, 1923AmericanToured in a sketch called The Girl and the Ranger. [174]
Francis Renaultc. 1893May 29, 1955AmericanFemale impersonator billed as "The Original Slave of Fashion." [175]
The Revelers AmericanAll-male close harmony group.
The Rhythm Boys May 2, 1901October 14, 1977AmericanMale singing trio consisting of Bing Crosby (May 2, 1901– October 14, 1977), Al Rinker (December 20, 1907- June 11, 1982) and Harry Barris (November 24, 1905– December 13, 1962). The group began as a duo between Crosby and Rinker who called themselves "Two Boys and a Piano." The group began singing with Paul Whiteman and his orchestra in 1926, nearly a year after the two young men joined forces. The duo became a trio in 1927 when pianist, singer and songwriter Barris joined them. The group disbanded when Crosby left to start a solo career in 1931. [176] [177]
Lieutenant Gitz Rice March 5, 1891October 16, 1947CanadianSinger and songwriter. [178]
Buddy Rich September 30, 1917April 2, 1987AmericanDrummer and bandleader who appeared in his parents vaudeville act before the age of 2. [179]
Frank "Cannonball" Richards February 20, 1887February 7, 1969AmericanPerformer whose act involved taking heavy blows to his belly.
Harry Richman August 10, 1895November 3, 1972AmericanSong and dance man and songwriter. [180]
Rin Tin Tin c. September 10, 1918August 10, 1932 German shepherd dog which had become famous in silent films and later in radio. Rin Tin Tin appeared at the Palace in May 1930. [181]
Blanche Ring April 24, 1876January 13, 1961AmericanSinger, actress, and vaudeville favorite. Sister of Julie and Frances Ring. [182]
Julie Ring July 4, 1880January 15, 1951AmericanSinger and actress. Sister of Blanche and Frances Ring, who were known as the Ring Sisters even though they normally performed separately. Wife of Theater Agent, Albert H. Sutherland (died 1911) and Vaudevillian James "Jack" Norva l. [182] [183]
Adele Ritchie December 21, 1874April 24, 1930AmericanSinger. [184]
Thelma Ritter February 14, 1905February 5, 1969AmericanActress. [185]
Ritz Brothers AmericanTrio of brothers who danced and performed slapstick and acrobatic comedy. Their birth name was Joachim. The trio was composed of Al (August 27, 1901 – December 22, 1965), Harry ((October 4, 1904 – November 17, 1985) and Jimmy Ritz ((May 22, 1907 – March 29, 1986). They were managed by their brother, George. The brothers debuted at the Albee Theatre in Brooklyn in 1925. They were one of the top attractions of the era and appeared in Earl Carroll's Vanities. [186]
Edith Roberts September 17, 1899August 20, 1935AmericanActress.
Joe Roberts February 2, 1871October 28, 1923AmericanActor who toured with his wife, Lillian Stuart Roberts, as part of a rowdy act called Roberts, Hays and Roberts.
George Robey September 20, 1869November 29, 1954BritishBritish music hall actor and comedian. [187]
A. Robins c. 1886December 17, 1950AmericanClown novelty act. Robins later performed under the name Banana Man. [188]
Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson May 25, 1878November 25, 1949AmericanTap dancer, who heavily influenced Fred Astaire and later appeared in many movie musicals for Fox, most notably opposite Shirley Temple. [189]
Rock and WhiteAmericanComic duo composed of William Rock (1875 - June 27, 1922) and Frances White (1898-24 February 1969). [190]
Blossom Rock August 21, 1895January 14, 1978AmericanSinger and actress, sister of Jeanette MacDonald and who toured initially (as Marie MacDonald) with Eve Sully. Later known for her role as Grandmama Addams on TV's The Addams Family . [191]
William Rock August 5, 1872June 27, 1922AmericanComedian and dancer who was later a part of two double acts. [192]
George L. "Doc" Rockwell 1890March 2, 1978AmericanComedian billed as "Dr. Rockwell, Quack, Quack, Quack." [193]
"Klondike Kate" Rockwell 18731957AmericanDancer.
Ginger Rogers July 16, 1911April 25, 1995AmericanDancer, singer and actress first appearing with Eddie Foy's troupe in Fort Worth, Texas in 1925. Working as a dancer, she toured alone and later with husband, Jack Pepper, as "Ginger and Pepper" in 1928. She sang with the Eddie Lowry Band in Chicago and the Paul Asch Orchestra in New York City. Rogers's first film appearance was in a 1930 film short for Paramount Pictures. [194] [195]
Will Rogers November 4, 1879August 15, 1935AmericanActor, singer, comedian and social commentator. Appeared in numerous editions of the Ziegfeld Follies and was considered the highlight by many. [196]
Ruth Roland August 26, 1872September 22, 1937AmericanActress and singer. Appeared at the Palace in March, 1930 in a playlet, "Wanted." [97]
B. A. Rolfe October 24, 1879April 23, 1956AmericanCornetist and bandleader. [14]
Mickey Rooney September 23, 1920April 6, 2014AmericanDebuted in his parents vaudeville act as a midget at the age of 2 years as "Sonny Yule." Hired by an MGM talent scout n New York, the producers insisted that his mother dye his hair black and change his name to "Mickey Looney". Both of his parents disagreed and settled on Rooney. [197] [198]
Pat Rooney Sr. 184828 March 1892English born Irish-AmericanPatriarch of the Rooney acting family. Began career in British music halls. Debut in America was either in New York City in 1870 at the Bowery Theatre or Fox's Theatre in Philadelphia in 1871. Famous for his Irish brogue and skills as a comedian and clog dancer. He wrote his own songs. [199]
Pat Rooney Jr. 4 July 18809 September 1962Irish-AmericanSon of Pat Rooney Sr. He began his career performing with his father as a child in vaudeville. Like his father, he carried his Irish persona closely within his stage deportment and was a well known clog dancer and comedian. He invented the waltz-clog step used in tap dance and clog dancing. In addition to touring in vaudeville, he had seven decade long career in Broadway musicals which began with In Atlantic City in 1898 and concluded with the role of Arvide Abernathy in the original production of Guys and Dolls in 1952-1953. He also starred in two dozen silent films. When his son Pat Rooney III began performing, he took on his father's name Pat Rooney Sr. on the stage, and Pat Rooney III was often credited as Pat Rooney Jr; causing some confusion in sources between members of the family. [200]
Pat Rooney III1909November 5, 1975AmericanLike his granfather, Pat Rooney Sr., and his father, Pat Rooney Jr, Pat Rooney III was a comedian and dancer. [201]
The RooneysAmericanIrish comic duo consisting of Pat Rooney Jr. (July 4, 1880– September 9, 1962) and his wife, Marion Bent (December 23, 1879– July 28, 1940). [201]
Fred Rose August 24, 1897December 1, 1954AmericanPianist, singer and songwriter of mostly country songs. Worked with Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra. [202]
Harry Rose December 2, 1893December 10, 1962BritishComedian. [203]
Joe RoseSeptember 10, 1891February 26, 1942AmericanJewish comedian, actor, producer of vaudeville shows, owner of Lyric Theatre, was there the night they raided Minsky's. Best known character was Red Hymie.
Julian Rose September 6, 1868September 13, 1935AmericanJewish comedian. [204]
Baby Rose Marie August 15, 1923December 28, 2017AmericanChild star and singer, later found fame on TV's The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Hollywood Squares [205]
Edward Roseman May 14, 1875September 16, 1957AmericanActor.
Lillian Roth December 13, 1910May 2, 1980AmericanToured with her sister, Ann as Lillian Roth & Co. or The Roth Kids from the age of 6. Roth starred in the Ziegfeld Midnight Frolics and Earl Carroll's Vanities, in the late 20s and 30s. Her 1954 autobiography I'll Cry Tomorrow later became a feature film of the same name. [206] [207]
Adele Rowland July 10, 1883August 8, 1971AmericanSinger. [208]
Ruth Royce February 6, 1893May 7, 1971AmericanActress.
Ruth Roye January 9, 1896June 12, 1960AmericanRagtime singer. [209]
Benny Rubin February 2, 1899July 15, 1986AmericanJewish dialect comedian. [210]
David Rubinoff 1897October 6, 1986Russian-AmericanViolinist. [211]
Harry Ruby October 29, 1895February 23, 1974AmericanPianist and songwriter. [100] [212]
Yvette Rugel 1890sSeptember 20, 1975AmericanSinger. [213]
Fred Russell September 29, 1862October 14, 1957BritishVentriloquist. Credited as "The Father of Modern Ventriloquism" as the first to use a dummy on his knee. His dummy was named "Coster Joe." [214]
Lillian Russell December 4, 1861June 6, 1922AmericanActress and singer. [215]
The Russell Brothers AmericanPerformed as "The Irish Servant Girls" in vaudeville for thirty years. They were John Russell (1854 1925) and James Russell (1859 1914). [216]
Babe Ruth February 6, 1895August 16, 1948American Baseball Hall of Famer who appeared in vaudeville with Wellington Cross of Cross & Josephine in 1921. [68]
Peggy Ryan August 28, 1924October 30, 2004AmericanChild performer on the vaudeville stage and onscreen beginning at age 13. Ryan later appeared in movie musicals for Universal Studios opposite Donald O'Connor. [217]

S

NameBirthDeathNationalityPerformance notesReference
Marin Sais January 20, 1879December 31, 1971AmericanActress.
Charles "Chic" Sale August 25, 1885November 7, 1936AmericanActor, monologist and writer. [218]
Rae Samuels May 3, 1887October 24, 1979AmericanComic singer. [219]
Fred Sanborn November 23, 1899March 9, 1961AmericanDrummer, xylophonist and stooge. [220]
Elvera Sanchez September 1, 1905September 2, 2000AmericanDancer.
Eugen Sandow April 2, 1867October 14, 1925German Strong man, who was managed by Florenz Ziegfeld and appeared at the 1893 Columbian Exposition. [221]
Gilbert Sarony December 15, 1910AmericanFemale impersonator who played an "old maid" character, also sand, danced, and performed minstrel shows. [222]
O. K. Sato ???March 23, 1921AmericanJuggler [223]
Thomas Francis Savage18851921AmericanToured from 1910-1912 as Savage & De Croteau with wife Bertha Mae DeCroteau and 1916-1921 with the Peerless Trio as Tom Rosa with Bertha Mae DeCroteau (Mazie Berto) and Suzette Carsell (Anna Vincent), The Mother of the Accordion
Jimmy Savo 1895September 6, 1960AmericanPantomimist. [224]
Bert Savoy c. 1888June 26, 1923AmericanFemale impersonator with "straight man" Jay Brennan. His lines and mannerisms may have influenced Mae West. [225]
Germany Schaefer February 4, 1877May 16, 1919AmericanFormer baseball player who had an act with Charley O'Leary. [134]
Fritzi Scheff August 30, 1879April 8, 1954AustrianActress and singer. [226]
Ernestine Schumann-Heink June 15, 1861November 17, 1936GermanOperatic contralto. [227]
Malcolm Scott March 7, 1872September 7, 1929BritishFemale impersonator billed as "The Woman Who Knows." [228]
Fred F. Sears 19131957AmericanDancer on the Radio-Keith-Orpheum (RKO) circuit. Later, Sears would become a film director for Columbia Pictures.
Rolfe Sedan January 20, 1896September 16, 1982AmericanActor.
Blossom Seeley July 16, 1891April 17, 1974AmericanSinger. [71]
William Selig March 14, 1864July 15, 1948AmericanActor.
Larry Semon July 16, 1889October 8, 1928AmericanOne of the highest-paid film comedians of the 1920s, Semon also directed many of the films he starred in. After problems with the Vitagraph studio in 1922, he began working as a comedian on the vaudeville stage. [226] [229]
Ted Shapiro October 31, 1899March 26, 1980AmericanPianist and songwriter.
Truly Shattuck July 27, 1875December 6, 1954AmericanSinger, actress and dancer [230]
Wini Shaw February 25, 1910May 2, 1982AmericanActress in her parents' vaudeville act.
Ella Shields September 26, 1879August 5, 1952American-BritishMale impersonator and singer. [231]
Ethel Shutta December 1, 1896February 5, 1976AmericanActress and later Ziegfeld Girl who toured with her mother, Augusta, and her brother, Jack, as The Three Shuttas.
Martinus Sieveking March 24, 1867November 26, 1950DutchPianist and composer who toured with Eugen Sandow.
William Silborc. 1864January 4, 1917RussianHad a Vaudeville Booking Agency at 1402 Broadway, New York. Starred in an act called The Famous Silbor Four with his wife Blanche and daughters Blanche and Mabel. He was also part of the team of Silbor and Emerson. They were singers, dancers and petite entertainers.
Phil Silvers May 11, 1911November 1, 1985AmericanOriginally a singer in vaudeville at the age of 13, Silvers appeared in some early movie musicals. After appearing in burlesque at Minsky's in 1934, he made in feature film debut in 1940. He appeared in Broadway and on TV in the 1950s where he won and Emmy Award. | [232] [233]
Howard Simms January 24, 1918May 20, 2003AmericanTap dancer.
Penny Singleton September 15, 1908November 12, 2003AmericanActress and comedian, later found fame playing Blondie in a series of films and voicing Jane Jetson.
Singer's Midgets mostly Austrian and HungarianA troupe of midgets under the management of Leo Singer (d. March 5, 1951). Best known for playing some of the Munchkins in The Wizard of Oz . [234]
Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake AmericanMusical act with Sissle (July 10, 1889 – December 17, 1975) and Blake (February 7, 1887 – February 12, 1983). Blake and Sissle joined forces shortly after World War I, forming the "Dixie Duo", a musical act. The pair went on to create the groundbreaking musical, Shuffle Along . | [235] [236] [237]
Red Skelton July 18, 1913September 17, 1997AmericanComedian, who later found fame on both the big and small screen. [238]
Tod Sloan August 10, 1874December 21, 1933AmericanFormer thoroughbred racing jockey who briefly starred in a one-man vaudeville show with a monologue written by George M. Cohan. Legend has it that Cohan's musical, Little Johnny Jones is based on Sloan's life story. Tod's brother was Cassius Sloan, sister Mary L. Sloan (Blanche Sloan, aerialist), and his brother was Fremont Sloan. His father was Civil War veteran, Samuel Sloan. [239]
Phillips Smalley August 7, 1875May 2, 1939AmericanActor.
Roy Smeck February 6, 1900April 5, 1994AmericanGuitar, banjo, ukulele and Hawaiian guitar virtuoso. [240]
Smith and Dale AmericanComic duo of Charles Marks (September 6, 1881 – November 16, 1971) and Joseph Sultzer (February 16, 1884 – February 22, 1981). [241]
Ada "Bricktop" Smith August 14, 1894February 1, 1984AmericanSinger and dancer. [242]
Bessie Smith April 15, 1894September 26, 1937AmericanLegendary blues singer. Smith was ranked as the top performer on the T.O.B.A. circuit in the 1920s. [161] [243] [244]
Chris Smith October 12, 1879October 4, 1949AmericanMusician. Songwriter of "Ballin' the Jack." [243]
Clara Smith c. 1894February 2, 1935AmericanBlues singer. Smith began working in vaudeville around 1910 and by 1918 was one of the biggest names on the T.O.B.A. circuit. [245]
"Whispering" Jack Smith May 31, 1898May 13, 1950AmericanSinger known for his "whispering" style of singing.
Kate Smith May 1, 1907June 17, 1986AmericanSinger, known for her renditions of "God Bless America" and "When the Moon Comes Over the Mountain" and for her "Hello, everybody!". [246]
Mamie Smith May 26, 1883September 16, 1946AmericanBlues singer. Smith toured nationally as "Mamie Smith and Her Jazz Hounds", in the 1920s. [161] [247]
Pinetop Smith June 11, 1904March 15, 1929AmericanJazz pianist.
Trixie Smith 1895September 21, 1943AmericanBlues singer. Toured the T.O.B.A. circuits from 1918. [248]
Willie "The Lion" Smith November 25, 1897April 18, 1973AmericanJazz pianist.
John Philip Sousa November 6, 1854March 6, 1932AmericanComposer and band conductor. [249]
Eddie South November 27, 1904April 25, 1962AmericanJazz violinist.
Elsie Southgate January 23, 1880May 5, 1946BritishViolinist, billed as "The Royal Violinist."
Leora Spellman July 13, 1890September 4, 1945AmericanSinger and actress.
Victoria Spivey October 5, 19061976AmericanBlues singer.
Ruth St. Denis April 16, 1889July 21, 1968AmericanDancer. [250]
George Stallings November 17, 1867May 13, 1929AmericanBaseball player who appeared in vaudeville as a monologist. [68]
Aileen Stanley 1897March 24, 1982AmericanSinger. Had an act with her brother, Stanley & Aileen. [251]
Paul Stanley (Sonnenburg) abt. 1847March 15, 1907AmericanComedian and Composer, who some credit with writing the music for the ditty Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay. [252]
Orville Stamm June 29, 1893May 8, 1963AmericanStrongman
John Steel 18951971AmericanSinger. [253]
Julius StegerMarch 4, 1870February 25, 1959AmericanActor in a playlet he wrote himself, The Fifth Commandment. [254]
Harry Steppe March 1888November 22, 1943Russian-AmericanActor, Jewish dialect comedian and hobo clown.
Cal Stewart 18561919AmericanComic monologist.
Dorothy Stickney June 21, 1896June 2, 1998AmericanSinger and dancer.
Frank Stokes December 1887 or January 1888September 12, 1955AmericanSinger, blues musician and blackface minstrel.
Fred Stone August 19, 1873March 6, 1959AmericanAcrobat, tightrope walker, minstrel, and actor. [255]
Charley Straight January 16, 1891September 22, 1940AmericanPianist, bandleader and composer.
Gabby Street September 30, 1882February 6, 1951AmericanBaseball player who appeared in vaudeville.
Dana Suesse December 3, 1909October 16, 1987AmericanDancer, songwriter, lyricist and pianist.
Anne Sullivan April 14, 1866October 20, 1926AmericanTeacher to Helen Keller who appeared with her when she lectured. [256]
Gus SunOctober 7, 1868October 1, 1959AmericanJuggler and minstrel. Later, the owner of the Gus Sun Circuit. [257]
Valeska Suratt June 22, 1882July 2, 1962AmericanActress. [258]
Mack Swain February 16, 1876August 25, 1935AmericanComedian who later appeared in Mack Sennett's Keystone comedies. [259]
Blanche Sweet June 18, 1896September 6, 1986AmericanActress, Appeared with her parents' vaudeville act at the age of 18 months. She was billed as "Baby Blanche" or "Sweet Little Blanche." [260]

T–V

NameBirthDeathNationalityPerformance notesReference
Chief Tahachee March 4, 1904June 9, 1978AmericanActor.
Edith Taliaferro December 21, 1893March 2, 1958Americanperformed with her sister, Mabel Taliaferro [261]
Mabel Taliaferro May 21, 1887January 24, 1979Americanperformed with her sister, Edith Taliaferro [261]
Eva Tanguay August 1, 1878January 11, 1947CanadianSinger. [118] [262]
Julius Tannen May 16, 1880January 3, 1965AmericanMonologist. [263]
Daisy Tapley 18821925AmericanContralto. Travelled to Britain and played in production of In Dahomey. [263]
Lilyan Tashman October 23, 1899March 21, 1934AmericanActor, singer and dancer. Started out as a principle actress for Gus Edwards and ended up as a Ziegfeld girl. [264]
Dub Taylor February 26, 1907October 3, 1994AmericanActor.
Eva Taylor January 22, 1895October 31, 1977AmericanSinger and dancer. Was a "pickaninny" or "pick" for Phina and Her Picks (later Josephine Gassman and Her Pickaninnies). [13]
Tell Taylor October 14, 1876November 24, 1937AmericanSinger and songwriter.
Lou Tellegen November 26, 1881October 29, 1934DutchActor who appeared in a sketch from his play, Blind Youth. [59]
Fay Templeton December 25, 1865October 3, 1939AmericanActress and singer. [265]
Dame Ellen Terry February 27, 1847July 21, 1928BritishActress who also appeared with her sister, Kate Terry. [261]
Denman Thompson October 15, 1833April 11, 1911AmericanActor. [266]
Lydia Thompson February 19, 1836November 17, 1908AmericanActress. [267]
Bonnie Thornton c. 1871March 13, 1920AmericanSinger known as "The Original Tutti-Frutti Girl." [268]
Richard Thorpe 24 February 1896January 13, 1961AmericanSinger and actor. Later in Hollywood films. [269]
Howard Thurston July 20, 1869April 13, 1936AmericanMagician. [270]
Dox Thrash 18931965AmericanActor.
Three Meyakos Japanese-AmericanSong and dance act consisting of siblings Esther Kudara, Florence Kudara, and George Kudara. [271]
Three Stooges AmericanA comic trio consisting of brothers Moe (June 19, 1897 – May 4, 1975) and Shemp Howard (March 4, 1895 – November 22, 1955), and friend Larry Fine (October 5, 1902 – January 24, 1975). [272]
Three X Sisters AmericanHarmony singing trio consisting of Pearl Santos, Violet Hamilton, and Jessie Fordyce. [273]
"Big Bill" Tilden February 10, 1893June 5, 1953AmericanTennis player and monologist. [274]
Vesta Tilley May 13, 1864September 16, 1962BritishMale impersonator. [275]
Tim and IreneAmericanComic duo composed of Tim Ryan (July 5, 1889 – October 22, 1956) and his wife, Irene Ryan (October 17, 1902 – April 26, 1973).
Herman Timberg 1892April 16, 1952AmericanComedy monologist who would often exit the stage on all fours and perform trick violin playing. [276]
Joe Tinker July 27, 1880July 27, 1948AmericanBaseball player who appeared in vaudeville around 1911. [134]
Frank Tinney March 29, 1878November 28, 1940AmericanBlackface comic who would perform trick violin playing. [277]
Lydia Yeamans Titus 1866December 30, 1929AmericanCharacter actress and singer. [278]
Eddie Tolan September 29, 1908July 30 or 31, 1967AmericanSprinter who appeared briefly with Bill "Bojangles" Robinson.
Rudy Toombs 1914November 28, 1962AmericanSong and dance man.
Raquel Torres 19081987MexicanActress.
Toto 1888December 15, 1938SwissClown who performed with his dog, Whisky. [278]
Patsy Touhey 18651923Irish-AmericanPlayer of the uilleann pipes.
Arthur Tracy June 25, 1899October 5, 1997Russian-AmericanSinger (baritone) of sentimental songs. [278]
Doris Eaton Travis March 14, 1904May 11, 2010AmericanSinger, dancer and Ziegfeld girl.
Al Treloar May 11, 1873February 28, 1960AmericanStrong man and weightlifter. Assistant to Eugen Sandow, 1893-1894. Performed with wife Edna Tempest, 1903-1907.
Andrew Tribble 1879October 15, 1935AmericanAfrican-American comedian and female impersonator. [279]
Sophie Tucker January 13, 1884February 9, 1966AmericanSinger, known as "The Last of the Red Hot Mamas." [280]
Ben Turpin September 19, 1869July 1, 1940AmericanComedian. [281]
Lurene Tuttle August 29, 1906May 28, 1986AmericanActress.
Two Black Crows AmericanBlackface comedy duo that starred Charles Mack (1888–1934) and others including John Swor, Bert Swor and George Moran (1881–1949). The duo name changed with each new partner, so Mack began using the name Moran & Mack (The Two Black Crows). [282] [283]
Isabelle Urquhart December 9, 1865February 7, 1907American Contralto and actress
Myrtle Vail January 7, 1888September 18, 1978AmericanTap dancer.
Rudolph Valentino May 6, 1895August 23, 1926ItalianBallroom dancer with Bonnie Glass, former dance partner of Clifton Webb's. Later became a major "matinee idol" in silent films. [284]
Rudy Vallee July 28, 1901July 3, 1986AmericanSinger, actor and bandleader. [285]
Egbert Van Alstyne March 4, 1978July 9, 1951AmericanPianist and songwriter. One of his most well-known songs is "In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree." [286]
Van and Schenck August 12, 1886March 12, 1968AmericanComic and musical duo composed of Gus Van (August 12, 1886 – March 12, 1968) and Joe Schenck (c. 1891 - June 28, 1930). [287]
Woody Van Dyke March 21, 1889February 5, 1943AmericanChild actor, later became renown for directing such films as Trader Horn , Tarzan the Ape Man and The Thin Man .
Frank Van Hoven 1887December 1929AmericanMagician. [288]
Billy B. Van August 3, 1871November 16, 1950AmericanComedian. [282]
Clarice Vance March 14, 1871August 24, 1961AmericanSinger. [289]
Gertrude Vanderbilt 1880December 18, 1960AmericanSinger and dancer. [290]
Vasco 1871May 9, 1925BritishMagician. [291]
Dai Vernon June 11, 18941992CanadianMagician known for his card tricks.
Jules Vernon April 2, 1867May 17, 1937BritishVentriloquist. [292]
Vesta Victoria November 26, 1873April 7, 1951BritishSinger. [293]
Nedra Volz June 18, 1908January 20, 2003AmericanActress who appeared as Baby Nedra.
Harry Von Tilzer July 8, 1872January 10, 1946AmericanPianist and songwriter. Among some of his most well-known sonsg are "Wait 'til the Sun Shines Nellie" and "Bird in a Gilded Cage." [294]

W–Z

NameBirthDeathNationalityPerformance notesReference
Ted Waldman February 12, 1899February 1, 1987AmericanHarmonica player. [295]
Fats Waller May 21, 1904December 15, 1943AmericanPianist and songwriter. Waller toured in vaudeville as an accompanist beginning around 1919. Among his many songs are "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "Honeysuckle Rose." [296] [297]
Dorothy Walters 1877April 17, 1934AmericanActress.
Henry B. Walthall March 16, 1878June 17, 1936AmericanActor. [59]
Florence Walton 1890January 7, 1981AmericanDancer. [298]
Fannie Ward June 22, 1872January 27, 1952AmericanActress. [299]
Hap Ward July 1868January 3, 1944AmericanComedian, dancer, and actor who was one half of the comedy duo Ward and Vokes. [300] [301]
Frederick Warde February 23, 1851February 17, 1935BritishShakespearean actor, monologist and actor in playlets. [302]
David Warfield 18661951AmericanActor. [303]
Fred Waring June 9, 1900July 29, 1984AmericanBandleader of the band Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians [304]
Jethro Warner July 26, 1874April 13, 1931AmericanPerformed with his wife as Floyd and Warner. [305]
Warren Lloyd Warrener Dec 23, 1889Dec 4, 1961AmericanActor, Singer [306]
George Dewey Washington May 1, 1898AmericanSinger. [307]
Ethel Waters October 31, 1896September 1, 1977AmericanSinger and actress. Waters made a very easy transition from vaudeville to nightclubs. Waters is credited with making the song, "Stormy Weather (song)" popular. [308] [309] [310]
Donald "Monk" Watson AmericanActor.
Kitty Watson & Fanny Watson AmericanComic sister act with Kitty (March 14, 1886 - March 3, 1967) and Fanny Watson (1885 - May 17, 1970). [311]
Hinda Wausau 19061980AmericanChorus girl who became a star of striptease and burlesque. [312] [313]
Ned Wayburn March 30, 1874September 2, 1942AmericanSinger and dancer. [314]
Guy Weadick 18851953AmericanWild West performer and, with his wife (Weadick and LaDue), creator of the "Stampede Act." [96]
Clifton Webb November 19, 1889October 13, 1966AmericanActor and dancer partnered in the 1920s with Mary Hay. The Webb and Hay played the Palace in January 1929. [315] [316]
Weber and Fields German-AmericanComic duo composed of Lew Fields (January 1, 1867 – July 20, 1941) and Joe Weber (August 11, 1867 – May 10, 1942). [317]
Ben Welch September 2, 1926AmericanJewish comic. [318]
Niles Welch July 29, 1888November 21, 1976AmericanActor.
Señor Wences April 17, 1896April 20, 1999Spanish-AmericanVentriloquist, best known for his appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show . [319]
Mae West August 17, 1893November 22, 1980AmericanActress and comedian, known for breaking the mold with her taboo performances on both stage and screen. [320]
Roland West February 20, 1885May 31, 1952AmericanActor.
Wheeler and Woolsey AmericanComic duo with Bert Wheeler (April 7, 1895 – January 18, 1968) and Robert Woolsey (August 14, 1888 – October 31, 1938). [321]
Albert Whelan May 5, 1875February 19, 1961AustralianEccentric dancer. [322]
Dan White March 25, 1908July 7, 1980AmericanActor.
George White 1890October 10, 1968Canadian-AmericanDancer. [323] [324]
Sammy White 18941960AmericanSong and dance comedian. [325]
Thelma White December 4, 1910January 11, 2005AmericanDancer with The White Sisters and later as a Ziegfeld girl.
Paul Whiteman March 28, 1890December 29, 1967AmericanBandleader. [326]
Annabelle Whitford 1878November 30, 1961AmericanModern dancer. [327]
Whiting and BurtAmericanSong and dance duo consisting of George Whiting (August 6, 1884 – December 18, 1943) and Sadie Burt (? - December 6, 1966). [328]
Marshall P. Wilder September 19, 1859January 10, 1915American Hunchbacked dwarf monologist. [329]
Jess Willard December 29, 1881December 15, 1968Spanish-AmericanBoxer and actor. [330]
Bert Williams November 12, 1874March 4, 1922British West IndianActor, pantomimist and singer. [331] [332]
Bransby Williams 18701961BritishActor, comedian and monologist. [333]
Clarence Williams October 8, 1898November 6, 1965AmericanMinstrel, singer and pianist. [334]
Herb Williams 1884October 1, 1936AmericanComedian. [335]
Jay Williams May 31, 1914July 12, 1978AmericanComedian.
Nat M. Wills July 11, 1873December 9, 1917American"The Happy Tramp" monologist. [336]
Edith Wilson 1906March 30, 1981AmericanBlues singer. [337]
Francis Wilson February 7, 1854October 7, 1935AmericanMinstrel and comedian. [338]
Walter Winchell April 7, 1897February 20, 1972AmericanActor and singer. [339]
Charles Winninger May 26, 1884January 27, 1969AmericanTrapeze artist and actor with his family's act, the Winninger Family Concert Co. [96]
Basil Wolverton July 9, 1909December 31, 1978AmericanActor.
Daisy Wood September 15, 1877October 19, 1961BritishSinger and sister to Marie Lloyd. [340]
Wee Georgie Wood December 17, 1895February 19, 1979British Midget comedian who played children. [341]
Bessie Wynn 1876July 8, 1968American"The Lady Dainty of Vaudeville" singer. [342]
Ed Wynn November 9, 1886June 19, 1966AmericanComedian and actor. Known as "The Perfect Fool." [342] [343]
Gus Yorke February 14, 1861December 27, 1939AmericanWith Nick Adams in "Yorke and Adams". Command performance of "Potash and Perlmutter" at the Queens Theatre, 14th April 1914.
Clara Kimball Young September 6, 1890October 15, 1960AmericanActress who appeared in a sketch called "The Adorable Wife." Headlined at the Palace, April, 1925. [344]
Lester Young August 27, 1909March 15, 1959AmericanClarinetist and saxophonist.
Margaret Young 1900May 3, 1969AmericanSinger.
Henny Youngman March 16, 1906February 24, 1998British-AmericanComedian, bandleader and violinist. [345]
Joe Yule April 30, 1894March 30, 1950ScottishComedian and father to Mickey Rooney. [198]
George Zucco January 11, 1886May 28, 1960BritishCharacter actor who toured with his wife, Frances in a satirical sketch about suffragettes.
Yetta Zwerling December 25, 1889January 17, 1982AustrianActress, performed primarily in Yiddish vaudeville and on the British Music Hall stage. Once she perfected her stage Yiddish, Zwerling worked in Yiddish theatre and in the 1930s in Yiddish film. [346]

Notes

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Maly Theatre is a theatre in Moscow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">T. C. Jones</span> American actor

Thomas Craig "T. C." Jones was an American female impersonator, actor, and dancer who from the mid-1940s to the late 1960s performed on stage, in nightclubs, films, and on television. He was known chiefly in the entertainment industry for his imitations in full costume of many famous actresses and other women, including Tallulah Bankhead, Mae West, Judy Garland, Katharine Hepburn, Bette Davis, Édith Piaf, and Carmen Miranda. In 1959, the American magazine Time described Jones as "probably the best female impersonator since vaudeville's late famed Julian Eltinge".

<i>Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich</i>

Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich is a 1868 historical drama by Aleksey Konstantinovich Tolstoy. It is the second part of a trilogy that begins with The Death of Ivan the Terrible and concludes with Tsar Boris. All three plays were banned by the censor. Tsar Fyodor is written in blank verse and was influenced by the work of William Shakespeare, Casimir Delavigne, and Edward Bulwer-Lytton. It dramatises the story of Feodor I of Russia, whom the play portrays as a good man who is a weak, ineffectual ruler. The trilogy formed the core of Tolstoy's reputation as a writer in the Russia of his day and as a dramatist to this day. It has been considered Tolstoy's masterpiece.

<i>Armoured Train 14-69</i>

Armoured Train 14–69 is a 1927 Soviet play by Vsevolod Ivanov. Based on his 1922 novel of the same name, it was the first play that he wrote and remains his most important. In creating his adaptation, Ivanov transformed the passive protagonist of his novel into an active exponent of proletarian ideals; the play charts his journey from political indifference to Bolshevik heroism. Set in Eastern Siberia during the Civil War, it dramatises the capture of ammunition from a counter-revolutionary armoured train by a group of partisans led by a peasant farmer, Nikolai Vershinin. It is a four-act play in eight scenes that features almost 50 characters; crowd scenes form a prominent part of its episodic dramatic structure. Near the end of the play a Chinese revolutionary, Hsing Ping-wu, lies down on the railway tracks to force the armoured train to stop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hierapolis sawmill</span> Roman water-powered stone sawmill

The Hierapolis sawmill was a Roman water-powered stone sawmill at Hierapolis, Asia Minor. Dating to the second half of the 3rd century AD, the sawmill is considered the earliest known machine to combine a crank with a connecting rod to form a crank slider mechanism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Théâtre de l'Athénée</span> Theatre in Paris, France

The Théâtre de l'Athénée is a theatre at 7 rue Boudreau, in the 9th arrondissement of Paris. Renovated in 1996 and classified a historical monument, the Athénée inherits an artistic tradition marked by the figure of Louis Jouvet who directed the theatre from 1934 to 1951. During the period when he was director, it became known as the Athenée Théâtre Louis-Jouvet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kamerny Theatre</span>

The Kamerny Theatre was a chamber theatre in Moscow, founded in 1914 by director Alexander Tairov (1885–1950). Over the next 35 years, this small, intimate theater became "recognized as a major force in Russian theater". Considered among the better presentations staged at the theater were: Princess Brambilla (1920), Phèdre and Giroflé-Girofla (1922), Desire Under the Elms (1926), Day and Night (1926), The Negro (1929), The Beggars' Opera (1930) and Vishnevsky's An Optimistic Tragedy (1933). Tairov's primary collaborator in building the sets was Aleksandra Ekster, and these were based upon the period's constructivist style. The decor for the theatre was designed by Konstantin Medunetsky.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mezcala culture</span> Mesoamerican Culture

The Mezcala culture is the name given to a Mesoamerican culture that was based in the southern Mexican state of Guerrero, in the upper Balsas River region. The culture is poorly understood but is believed to have developed during the Middle and Late Preclassic periods of Mesoamerican chronology, between 700 and 200 BC. The culture continued into the Classic period when it coexisted with the great metropolis of Teotihuacan.

This is a list of reference works involves encyclopedias and encyclopedic dictionaries of any language published on the subject of film/cinema, radio, television, and mass communications, including related biographical dictionaries of actors, directors, etc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luigi Riccoboni</span> Italian actor and theatre writer

Luigi Riccoboni was an Italian actor and writer on theatre, who was director of the Comédie-Italienne in Paris from 1716 to 1731. In France he was known as Louis Riccoboni and his stage name was Lélio.

Antoine-François Riccoboni was an Italian actor of the Comédie-Italienne in Paris, whose stage name was Lélio fils.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Giovanni Gabrielli (actor)</span> Italian actor

Giovanni Gabrielli was an Italian actor of the commedia dell'arte, who performed under the name Sivello.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Francesco Gabrielli</span> Italian actor

Francesco Gabrielli (1588–1636) was an Italian actor of the commedia dell'arte. He was particularly famous as a virtuoso musician, who was an accomplished player of a dozen musical instruments. He is sometimes credited with the creation of Scapino, a musical zanni (servant) role, which he may actually have taken from Niccolò Barbieri. Gabrielli first appears as a member of the troupe of the Accesi in 1612, is later recorded as a member of the Confidenti, and in 1624 was with the Fedeli in Paris, before rejoining the Accesi.

Ford Lee "Buck" Washington was an American vaudeville performer, pianist, and singer. He was best known as half of the duo Buck and Bubbles, who were the first black artists to appear on television, with John W. Bubbles, his performance partner for 40 years.

Laurence Senelick is an American scholar, educator, actor and director. He is the author, editor, or translator of many books.