List of vaudeville performers: L–Z

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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.

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[edit]

Name Birth Death Nationality Performance notes Reference
Wilton Lackaye September 30, 1862 August 22, 1932 American Actor. [1]
Bert Lahr August 13, 1895 December 4, 1967 American Part 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, 1883 April 22, 1941 American Mentalist [4]
Bessie Lamb c. 1878 October 30, 1907 American Singer and mimic. Credited with bringing ragtime to vaudeville. [5]
Professor Lamberti January 9, 1892 March 13, 1950 American Born 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, 1914 September 22, 1996 American Actress in a Fanchon & Marco revue. [8]
Burt Lancaster November 2, 1913 October 20, 1994 American Oscar-winning actor, who started out in his teens an acrobat with Nick Cravat, Lang & Cravat. [9]
Harry Langdon June 15, 1884 December 22, 1944 American Comedian 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, 1853 February 12, 1929 British Actress, widely known as the mistress of Edward VII. [11]
Grace La Rue June 14, 1895 July 17, 1971 American Dancer and singer. [12][13]
Jesse L. Lasky September 13, 1880 January 13, 1958 American Actor who later co-founded Paramount Pictures with Adolph Zukor. [14]
Alfred Latell January 19, 1887 April 4, 1951 American Animal impersonator. [15]
The Lassiter Brothers 1904 1988 American Warren and Francis Lassiter performed acrobatics, dance and comedy in the Publix and Taka Chance vaudeville troupes. [16]
Elsie Newlin Lassiter 1904 1985 American Chorus girl Taka Chance Vaudeville Troupe. [16]
Sir Harry Lauder August 4, 1870 February 26, 1950 Scottish Singer and comedian from the British Music Hall who made 22 tours of the US. [17]
Hazel Bess Laugenour 1899 1960 American Toured vaudeville with a swim tank act, promoting her swimming films. [18]
Stan Laurel June 16, 1890 February 23, 1965 British Music 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. 1892 April 29, 1954 American Monologist and comedian. [20][21]
Al Lee American Comedian and "straight man" for Eddie Cantor. [22]
Gypsy Rose Lee February 9, 1911 April 26, 1970 American Dancer and actress. [23]
Jane and Kathryn Lee Scottish Sister act with Jane (1912 – April 20, 1957) and Kathryn (b. 1909). [24]
Lila Lee July 25, 1901 November 13, 1973 American Actress. [25]
Richard LeGrand August 29, 1882 June 29, 1963 American Actor.
Lillian Leitzel 1891? February 15, 1931 Hungarian [26]
Charles Le Maire 1897 1985 American A 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, 1860 October 31, 1904 British Considered one of the greatest British Music Hall comedians who first toured the US in 1897. [28]
Eddie Leonard October 18, 1883 July 29, 1941 American Blackface minstrel. [29]
Ruggero Leoncavallo April 23, 1857 August 9, 1919 Italian Composer and conductor. Toured with an Italian symphony orchestra. [30]
Mervyn LeRoy October 15, 1900 September 13, 1987 American Singer. Later a Hollywood director and producer. [31]
Stella LeSaint December 17, 1881 September 21, 1948 American Actress with her own vaudeville troupe, Stella Razeto and Company.
Joan Leslie January 26, 1925 October 12, 2015 American Singer, 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 1886 1963 American Singer; and did a "patter act."
The Great Lester 1878 1956 American Singer, pianist, comedian and actor. [33]
Ethel Levey November 22, 1880 February 27, 1955 American Actress and singer. Wife of George M. Cohan from 1900-1906. [34]
Ted Lewis June 6, 1890 August 25, 1971 American Bandleader, 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 Lewis American Comedian. [38]
J. Aldrich Libbey February 29, 1864 April 29, 1925 American Actor, singer, launched "After the Ball" [39][40]
Winnie Lightner September 17, 1900 March 5, 1971 American Singer known as "The Song-a-Minute Girl." [41]
Beatrice Lillie May 29, 1894 January 20, 1989 Canadian Comedian, known for her absurd double entendres. [42]
John Lind 1877 1940 American Female impersonator, often billed as "Lind?." [43]
Jack Little May 28, 1900 April 9, 1956 British Bandleader, singer and songwriter. [24]
Little Tich July 21, 1867 February 10, 1928 British Comedian, patter-singer and dancer. [44]
Mary Livingstone June 23, 1905 June 30, 1983 American Comedian and wife of Jack Benny.
Alice Lloyd October 20, 1873 November 16, 1949 British Singer and sister of Marie Lloyd. [45]
Marie Lloyd February 12, 1870 October 7, 1922 British Singer. [46]
Cecilia Loftus October 22, 1876 July 12, 1943 British Actress, mimic and singer. [47]
Marie Loftus 24 November 1857 1940 British actress and singer .[48]
Ella Lola 2 September 1883 American Dancer who also appearance in some Kinetoscope productions. [49]
Guy Lombardo June 19, 1902 November 5, 1977 Canadian Bandleader, best known for his "Auld Lang Syne" every New Year's Eve. [50]
Long Tack Sam 1885 Chinese Magician and acrobat. [51]
Vincent Lopez December 30, 1895 September 20, 1975 American Pianist and bandleader. [52]
James Loster January 1, 1894 April 20, 1948 American Acrobat and part of James and Vernie Loster vaudeville act. Married to Vernie Loster. Real name was James Fitzpatrick. [53]
Montagu Love March 15, 1877 May 17, 1943 British Actor.
Edmund Lowe March 3, 1890 April 21, 1971 American Actor. He later married vaudevillian, Lilyan Tashman.
Ed Lowry February 1, 1898 August 17, 1983 American Comedian and saxophonist. [54]
Scooter Lowry December 19, 1919 May 1, 1989 American Actor, singer, dancer, and celebrity impersonator [55]
Edna Luby October 12, 1884 October 1, 1928 American Celebrity Impersonator [56]
Nick Lucas August 22, 1897 July 28, 1982 American Singer and guitarist. [57]
Sam Lucas 1850 January 5, 1916 American Minstrel, actor, singer and comedian. He and his wife were among the first African-Americans to play vaudeville. [58]

M[edit]

Name Birth Death Nationality Performance notes Reference
Moms Mabley March 19, 1894 May 23, 1975 American Comedian billed as "The Funniest Woman in the World."
Adelaide Macarte 1879 1908 British Part of the trapeze and strongwoman act the Macarte Sisters
Cecilia Macarte 1880 British Part of the trapeze and strongwoman act the Macarte Sisters
Julia Macarte 1878 1958 British Part of the trapeze and strongwoman act the Macarte Sisters
June MacCloy June 2, 1909 May 5, 2005 American Actress and singer who appeared in the Earl Carroll Vanities and the George White Scandals. Later she appeared in vaudeville.
Jeanette MacDonald June 18, 1903 January 14, 1965 American Singer and actress.
Machinson Sisters British British take on the Barrison Sisters.
Willard Mack September 18, 1873 November 18, 1934 Canadian Actor. [59]
Violet MacMillan March 4, 1887 December 29, 1953 American Actress.
Fred MacMurray August 30, 1908 November 5, 1991 American Actor, got his start by touring with the California Collegiates as a saxophonist. [60]
Uncle Dave Macon October 7, 1870 March 22, 1952 American Banjo 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 Madden August 30, 1908 November 5, 1991 American Juggling Comedian, clown, and character actor. [62]

[63]

Will Mahoney February 5, 1894 February 8, 1967 American Comedian and xylophonist. [64]
Marjorie Main February 24, 1890 April 10, 1975 American Actress and comedian. Later a character actress in many films. [65]
Boots Mallory October 22, 1913 December 1, 1958 American Dancer 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, 1899 Canadian Dancer.
Leon Mandrake 1911 1993 Canadian Magician.
George Mann December 2, 1905 November 22, 1977 American Taller half of the comedic and acrobatic dance act, Barto and Mann. [67]
Martha Mansfield July 14, 1899 November 30, 1923 American Actress.
Rabbit Maranville November 11, 1891 January 5, 1954 American Baseball player who appeared in vaudeville in an act with Eddy McHugh. [68]
Fay Marbe February 4, 1899 June 2, 1986 American Singer and dancer. [69]
Marceline and Sea Lion British An act with a sea lion and its trainer. The act appeared in the mid-1920s. [70]
Baby Rose Marie August 15, 1923 December 28, 2017 American At 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, 1847 March 20, 1919 British-American Singer, dancer and actress
Pigmeat Markham April 18, 1904 December 31, 1981 American Comedian, singer, dancer and actor.
Rube Marquard October 9, 1886 June 1, 1980 American Baseball 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, 1884 May 24, 1955 American Blues singer. Martin toured vaudeville in the Chicago area around 1915 and then New York in 1922. [72]
Marx Brothers American Comic 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 1903 1975 American Dancer and singer. Toured with Sammy Davis, Sr., father of Sammy Davis, Jr. [74]
Christy Mathewson August 12, 1880 October 7, 1925 American Baseball player who appeared in vaudeville with catcher Chief Meyers in an act with May Tulley called Curves. [71]
Virginia Mayo November 30, 1920 January 17, 2005 American Actress. 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, 1934 American Cartoonist and animator who toured vaudeville with his creation, Gertie the Dinosaur. [75]
Bessie McCoy 1888 August 16, 1931 American Singer and dancer known as "The Yama-Yama Girl." [76]
Paul McCullough 1883 March 25, 1936 American Comedian who teamed up with Bobby Clark. [77]
Owen McGiveney May 4, 1884 July 31, 1967 British Quick-change artist. [78]
Terry McGovern March 9, 1880 February 22, 1918 American Boxer who held world bantamweight and featherweight titles. [79]
Tex McGuire February 29, 1909 August 2, 1992 American Guitar, banjo and dobro player. [80]
McIntyre and Heath American Minstrel duo composed of James McIntyre (1857–1937) and Thomas Heath (1852–1938). [81]
Victor McLaglen December 10, 1886 November 7, 1959 British-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, 1890 September 27, 1944 American Evangelist. [83]
Raquel Meller March 10, 1888 July 26, 1962 Spanish Chanteuse. [84]
Rose Melville January 30, 1867 October 8, 1946 American Singing-comedian. [85]
Adolphe Menjou February 18, 1890 October 29, 1963 American Actor and comedian, later known as a character actor in films such as the original A Star Is Born.
Ethel Merman January 16, 1909 February 15, 1984 American Singer and actress, possibly the most the pre-eminent star in Broadway musicals. [86]
Chief Meyers July 29, 1880 July 25, 1971 American Baseball player who appeared in vaudeville with catcher Chief Meyers in an act with May Tulley called Curves. [71]
Vera Michelena June 16, 1885 August 28, 1961 American Musical actress and dancer. [87]
Charles B. Middleton October 3, 1874 April 22, 1949 American Character actor who often played commanding or villainous characters in films in the 1920s. [88]
Lizzie Miles March 31, 1895 March 17, 1963 American Blues singer. Toured the south in theatres and circuses. She also toured with minstrel shows. [89]
Miller and Lyles American Comic 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, 1900 1962 American Minstrel and singer noted for his yodel-like falsetto voice.
Marilyn Miller September 1, 1898 April 7, 1936 American Dancer, 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 American Vocal 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, 1896 November 1, 1927 American Comedian, singer and dancer. [94]
Borrah Minnevitch and His Harmonica Rascals Russian 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, 1890 September 16, 1957 American Actress.
Tom Mix January 6, 1880 October 12, 1940 American Sharpshooter 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 Montgomery 1886 September 30, 1942 American Comic musician and ventriloquist. [99]
Montrose and Allen American Comic duo consisting of Billy Allen and his wife, Belle Montrose (April 23, 1886 – October 26, 1963). [100][101]
Florence Moore 1886 March 23, 1935 American Singer-comedian. First female emcee at the Palace. [102]
Tim Moore December 9, 1887 December 13, 1958 American Comedian 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, 1876 July 23, 1962 American Comedian, later became famous as a character actor on both stage and screen. [103]
Polly Moran June 28, 1883 January 25, 1952 American Actress and comedian, best known for her films opposite Marie Dressler. [104]
Mantan Moreland September 3, 1902 September 28, 1973 American Actor and comedian, performed on the "Chitlin Circuit" for many years.
Helen Morgan August 2, 1900 August 8, 1941 American Singer 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, 1849 November 20, 1925 Canadian Actress. [106]
Johnnie Morris June 15, 1887 October 7, 1969 American Comedian and actor.
Lily Morris 1884 October 3, 1952 British Singing-comedian. [107]
Ernie Morrison December 20, 1912 July 24, 1989 American Dancer.
Lee Morse 1904 December 16, 1954 American Blues singer known for her trademark yodeling. [108]
Charles Morton January 28, 1907 October 26, 1966 American Actor.
James J. Morton December 25, 1861 April 10, 1938 American Comedian known as "The Boy Comic." [108]
Jelly Roll Morton September 20, 1885 July 10, 1941 American Pianist, bandleader and composer, one of the founders of modern-day jazz.
Mosconi Brothers American Dance duo consisting of brothers Louis (1895-1969) and Charles Mosconi (1892-1975). [109]
Bennie Moten November 13, 1894 April 2, 1935 American Jazz 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, 1903 February 11, 1955 American Singer and actress. [112]
Billy Murray May 25, 1877 August 17, 1954 American Singer.
J. Harold Murray February 17, 1891 December 11, 1940 American Singer. [113]
Jan Murray October 4, 1916 July 2, 2006 American Comedian, later known for his appearances on The Hollywood Squares and many TV variety shows.
Ken Murray July 14, 1903 October 12, 1988 American Actor and singer. Served as the emcee at the Palace. [114]

N–O[edit]

Name Birth Death Nationality Performance notes Reference
Alfred Næss April 26, 1877 July 6, 1955 Norwegian Speedskater who toured with Austrian skater, Frieda Meyer (c. 1890 – 1976).
Conrad Nagel March 16, 1897 February 24, 1970 American Actor, began as an acrobat in vaudeville but switched professions. Later became a matinee idol once signed to MGM. [115]
John Nash March 7, 1828 October 13, 1901 British British Music Hall performer, first to tour the US. [116]
Mary Nash August 15, 1884 December 3, 1976 American Actress.
Carrie Nation November 25, 1846 June 9, 1911 American Leader in the Temperance movement. [117]
Alla Nazimova May 22, 1879 July 14, 1945 Russian Actress, known for her flamboyant acting style and offscreen life. [118]
Harriet Nelson July 18, 1909 October 2, 1994 American Singer and actress. Wife of Ozzie Nelson and mother of Ricky Nelson.
Ozzie Nelson March 20, 1906 June 3, 1975 American Bandleader for the Ozzie Nelson band. Husband of Harriet Nelson (the band's singer) and father of Ricky Nelson.
Evelyn Nesbit December 25, 1884 January 17, 1967 American Dancer. 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, 1900 February 17, 1970 American Pianist. Later a film composer, conductor and music director.
Fred Niblo January 6, 1874 November 11, 1948 American Minstrel 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 American Tap 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 1872 1943 American Operatic singer.
Marian Nixon October 20, 1904 February 13, 1983 American Former vaudeville chorus girl who entered films in 1922. [123]
Karyl Norman June 13, 1897 July 23, 1947 American Female impersonator billed as "The Creole Fashion Plate." [124][125]
Bobby North February 2, 1884 August 13, 1976 American Singer, dancer, actor and Jewish comedian. [126]
Ruby Norton American Singer accompanied by Clarence Senna. [127]
Red Norvo March 31, 1908 April 6, 1999 American Xylophonist with Paul Whiteman. [128]
Jack Norworth January 5, 1879 September 1, 1959 American Singer and actor. Husband of Nora Bayes. [129]
Annie Oakley August 13, 1860 November 3, 1926 American Famed sharpshooter, later the subject of the Broadway musical and film Annie Get Your Gun.
Buck O'Brien May 9, 1882 July 25, 1959 American Baseball 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, 1925 September 27, 2003 American Actor, dancer, and member of The O’Connor Family—Royal Family of Vaudeville. [130]
Pasty O'Connor January 23, 1930 July 4, 2017 American Singer, dancer, and member of "The O’Connor Family—Royal Family of Vaudeville. [131]
Geoffrey O'Hara February 2, 1882 January 31, 1967 Canadian Singer and songwriter. [132]
Walter O'Keefe August 18, 1900 June 26, 1983 American Singer and songwriter.
Chauncey Olcott July 21, 1858 March 18, 1932 American Actor, minstrel, and monologist. [133]
Charley O'Leary October 15, 1882 January 6, 1941 American Former baseball player who had an act with Germany Schaefer. [134]
Olsen and Johnson American Comic 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, 1890 May 21, 1966 American Actor.
Nance O'Neill 1874 1965 American Actress. [59]
Original Creole Orchestra American Early 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, 1906 December 4, 1973 American Toured 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 Osterman April 8, 1902 June 8, 1939 American Comedian 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, 1912 January 26, 1982 American Singer.

P–Q[edit]

Name Birth Death Nationality Performance notes Reference
Earl Palmer October 25, 1924 September 19, 2008 American Singer 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, 1889 October 5, 1972 American Actor and comedian in a comic duo with Jo Hayden, Palmer and Hayden.
Eddie Parkes 1893 July 24, 1985 American Song and dance man. [140]
James Parrott August 2, 1898 May 10, 1939 American Singer and comedian.
Tony Pastor May 28, 1837 August 26, 1908 American Singer and actor. Credited as one of the founders of vaudeville. [141]
Signe Paterson 1890 Aug 15, 1963 Swedish-American Dancer; popularized the Hula and Shimmy on American stages. Sometimes billed as Signe Patterson or Signe Petterson.
Isabella Patricola 1886 May 23, 1965 American Singer; at height of her fame billed simply as "Patricola" or as "Miss Patricola". Full name Isabel or Isabella Patricola. [142]
Hank Patterson October 9, 1888 August 23, 1975 American Pianist and actor.
Pauline? 1874 November 11, 1942 American Stage hypnotist who was billed simply as Pauline? (with a question mark). [143]
Edna Payne December 5, 1891 January 31, 1953 American Actress.
John Payne May 23, 1912 December 6, 1989 American Singer, later became one of Fox Studio's frequent leading men in their movie musicals.
Eddie Peabody February 19, 1902 November 7, 1970 American Banjo player. [143]
Jack Pearl October 29, 1894 December 25, 1984 American Comedian once teamed with Ben Bard. [144]
Peerless Quartet American All-male vocal quartet.
Peerless Trio 1917 1921 American Composed 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, 1879 September 1, 1959 Hungarian-American Comedian, known for his catchphrase "Wanna buy a duck?". [50]
Ann Pennington December 23, 1892 November 7, 1971 American Dancer known as "The Girl With the Dimpled Knees." [145]
Jack Pepper June 14, 1902 April 1, 1979 American A 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, 1884 November 30, 1977 British Known for her undefinable act which might include acting, recitations or singing. [147]
Molly Picon June 1, 1898 April 5, 1992 American Actress, known for her Yiddish songs and skits and close ties to the Jewish community. [148]
Polaire May 13, 1879 October 14, 1939 French Singer and actress. [149]
Daphne Pollard 1892 1978 Australian Comedian and actress. [150]
The Ponce Sisters American Popular singing duo in the mid-1920s and early 1930s.
Rosa Ponselle January 22, 1897 May 25, 1981 American Operatic soprano. She toured with her sister, mezzo-soprano Carmella, as "Those Tailored Italian Girls." [151]
Beulah Poynter June 6, 1883 August 13, 1960 American Actress, 1913 skit Dear Doctor [152]
Eleanor Powell November 21, 1912 February 11, 1982 American Tap dancer and actress who started with Gus Edwards. Later found greater fame after signing with MGM. [112]
Evelyn Preer July 16, 1896 November 27, 1932 American Singer and actress.
George E. Price January 5, 1900 May 10, 1964 American Song and dance man. [153]
Kate Price February 13, 1872 January 4, 1943 Irish Actress who toured vaudeville with her husband, Joseph Price Ludwig.
Primrose and West American Blackface song and dance team composed of George H. Primrose (November 12, 1852 – July 23, 1919) and Billy West. [154]
F. F. Proctor March 17, 1851 September 4, 1929 American Juggler. Later Proctor would be a major vaudeville impresario. [155]
Eva Puck November 27, 1892 October 25, 1979 American Singer-comedian and dancer. [156]
Mae Questel September 13, 1908 January 4, 1998 American Actress and comedian, best known as the voices of Betty Boop and Olive Oyl. [157]
Eddie Quillan March 31, 1907 January 19, 1990 American Actor with family act the age 7. [158]

R[edit]

Name Birth Death Nationality Performance notes Reference
Jackie Rae May 14, 1922 October 5, 2006 Canadian Singer 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, 1901 November 24, 1980 American Actor, began as a dancer in the Orpheum and Keith circuits and in Texas Guinan's nightclub. [159]
Ma Rainey September 1882 December 22, 1939 American Billed as the "Mother of the Blues."[160] [161]
Esther Ralston September 17, 1902 January 14, 1994 American Actress 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, 1889 July 6, 1970 American Actress. [59]
Sally Rand January 2, 1904 August 31, 1979 American Dancer 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, 1896 August 24, 1967 American Singer 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, 1889 January 11, 1973 American Stage, radio, film and television actress who began in vaudeville as a child, performing with her parents. [166]
Doris Rankin 1880 1946 American Actress 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 Rardin 1915 1972 American One 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, 1967 Austrian Dancer who headed a ballet troupe. [167]
Enrico Rastelli December 19, 1896 December 13, 1931 Italian Juggler and acrobat. [168]
Zelma Rawlston October 30, 1915 German-American Singer and comedian, specializing in male impersonation. [169][170]
Don Raye March 16, 1909 January 29, 1985 American Song and dance man and songwriter.
Martha Raye August 27, 1916 October 19, 1994 American Comedian 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, 1874 September 25, 1966 British Light comedian and singer. [172]
Al Reeves May 30, 1865 February 26, 1940 American Singer and banjo player. [173]
Wallace Reid April 15, 1891 January 18, 1923 American Toured in a sketch called The Girl and the Ranger. [174]
Francis Renault c. 1893 May 29, 1955 American Female impersonator billed as "The Original Slave of Fashion." [175]
The Revelers American All-male close harmony group.
The Rhythm Boys May 2, 1901 October 14, 1977 American Male 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, 1891 October 16, 1947 Canadian Singer and songwriter. [178]
Buddy Rich September 30, 1917 April 2, 1987 American Drummer and bandleader who appeared in his parents vaudeville act before the age of 2. [179]
Frank "Cannonball" Richards February 20, 1887 February 7, 1969 American Performer whose act involved taking heavy blows to his belly.
Harry Richman August 10, 1895 November 3, 1972 American Song and dance man and songwriter. [180]
Rin Tin Tin c. September 10, 1918 August 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, 1876 January 13, 1961 American Singer, actress, and vaudeville favorite. Sister of Julie and Frances Ring. [182]
Julie Ring July 4, 1880 January 15, 1951 American Singer 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, 1874 April 24, 1930 American Singer. [184]
Thelma Ritter February 14, 1905 February 5, 1969 American Actress. [185]
Ritz Brothers American Trio 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, 1899 August 20, 1935 American Actress.
Joe Roberts February 2, 1871 October 28, 1923 American Actor who toured with his wife, Lillian Stuart Roberts, as part of a rowdy act called Roberts, Hays and Roberts.
George Robey September 20, 1869 November 29, 1954 British British music hall actor and comedian. [187]
A. Robins c. 1886 December 17, 1950 American Clown novelty act. Robins later performed under the name Banana Man. [188]
Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson May 25, 1878 November 25, 1949 American Tap dancer, who heavily influenced Fred Astaire and later appeared in many movie musicals for Fox, most notably opposite Shirley Temple. [189]
Rock and White American Comic duo composed of William Rock (1875 - June 27, 1922) and Frances White (1898-24 February 1969). [190]
Blossom Rock August 21, 1895 January 14, 1978 American Singer 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, 1872 June 27, 1922 American Comedian and dancer who was later a part of two double acts. [192]
George L. "Doc" Rockwell 1890 March 2, 1978 American Comedian billed as "Dr. Rockwell, Quack, Quack, Quack." [193]
"Klondike Kate" Rockwell 1873 1957 American Dancer.
Ginger Rogers July 16, 1911 April 25, 1995 American Dancer, 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, 1879 August 15, 1935 American Actor, 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, 1872 September 22, 1937 American Actress and singer. Appeared at the Palace in March, 1930 in a playlet, "Wanted." [97]
B. A. Rolfe October 24, 1879 April 23, 1956 American Cornetist and bandleader. [14]
Mickey Rooney September 23, 1920 April 6, 2014 American Debuted 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. 1848 28 March 1892 English born Irish-American Patriarch 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 1880 9 September 1962 Irish-American Son 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 III 1909 November 5, 1975 American Like his granfather, Pat Rooney Sr., and his father, Pat Rooney Jr, Pat Rooney III was a comedian and dancer. [201]
The Rooneys American Irish 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, 1897 December 1, 1954 American Pianist, singer and songwriter of mostly country songs. Worked with Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra. [202]
Harry Rose December 2, 1893 December 10, 1962 British Comedian. [203]
Joe Rose September 10, 1891 February 26, 1942 American Jewish 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, 1868 September 13, 1935 American Jewish comedian. [204]
Baby Rose Marie August 15, 1923 December 28, 2017 American Child star and singer, later found fame on TV's The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Hollywood Squares [205]
Edward Roseman May 14, 1875 September 16, 1957 American Actor.
Lillian Roth December 13, 1910 May 2, 1980 American Toured 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, 1883 August 8, 1971 American Singer. [208]
Ruth Royce February 6, 1893 May 7, 1971 American Actress.
Ruth Roye January 9, 1896 June 12, 1960 American Ragtime singer. [209]
Benny Rubin February 2, 1899 July 15, 1986 American Jewish dialect comedian. [210]
David Rubinoff 1897 October 6, 1986 Russian-American Violinist. [211]
Harry Ruby October 29, 1895 February 23, 1974 American Pianist and songwriter. [100][212]
Yvette Rugel 1890s September 20, 1975 American Singer. [213]
Fred Russell September 29, 1862 October 14, 1957 British Ventriloquist. 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, 1861 June 6, 1922 American Actress and singer. [215]
The Russell Brothers American Performed 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, 1895 August 16, 1948 American Baseball Hall of Famer who appeared in vaudeville with Wellington Cross of Cross & Josephine in 1921. [68]
Peggy Ryan August 28, 1924 October 30, 2004 American Child 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[edit]

Name Birth Death Nationality Performance notes Reference
Marin Sais January 20, 1879 December 31, 1971 American Actress.
Charles "Chic" Sale August 25, 1885 November 7, 1936 American Actor, monologist and writer. [218]
Rae Samuels May 3, 1887 October 24, 1979 American Comic singer. [219]
Fred Sanborn November 23, 1899 March 9, 1961 American Drummer, xylophonist and stooge. [220]
Elvera Sanchez September 1, 1905 September 2, 2000 American Dancer.
Eugen Sandow April 2, 1867 October 14, 1925 German Strong man, who was managed by Florenz Ziegfeld and appeared at the 1893 Columbian Exposition. [221]
Gilbert Sarony December 15, 1910 American Female impersonator who played an "old maid" character, also sand, danced, and performed minstrel shows. [222]
O. K. Sato ??? March 23, 1921 American Juggler [223]
Thomas Francis Savage 1885 1921 American Toured 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 1895 September 6, 1960 American Pantomimist. [224]
Bert Savoy c. 1888 June 26, 1923 American Female impersonator with "straight man" Jay Brennan. His lines and mannerisms may have influenced Mae West. [225]
Germany Schaefer February 4, 1877 May 16, 1919 American Former baseball player who had an act with Charley O'Leary. [134]
Fritzi Scheff August 30, 1879 April 8, 1954 Austrian Actress and singer. [226]
Ernestine Schumann-Heink June 15, 1861 November 17, 1936 German Operatic contralto. [227]
Malcolm Scott March 7, 1872 September 7, 1929 British Female impersonator billed as "The Woman Who Knows." [228]
Fred F. Sears 1913 1957 American Dancer on the Radio-Keith-Orpheum (RKO) circuit. Later, Sears would become a film director for Columbia Pictures.
Rolfe Sedan January 20, 1896 September 16, 1982 American Actor.
Blossom Seeley July 16, 1891 April 17, 1974 American Singer. [71]
William Selig March 14, 1864 July 15, 1948 American Actor.
Larry Semon July 16, 1889 October 8, 1928 American One 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, 1899 March 26, 1980 American Pianist and songwriter.
Truly Shattuck July 27, 1875 December 6, 1954 American Singer, actress and dancer [230]
Wini Shaw February 25, 1910 May 2, 1982 American Actress in her parents' vaudeville act.
Ella Shields September 26, 1879 August 5, 1952 American-British Male impersonator and singer. [231]
Ethel Shutta December 1, 1896 February 5, 1976 American Actress and later Ziegfeld Girl who toured with her mother, Augusta, and her brother, Jack, as The Three Shuttas.
Martinus Sieveking March 24, 1867 November 26, 1950 Dutch Pianist and composer who toured with Eugen Sandow.
William Silbor c. 1864 January 4, 1917 Russian Had 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, 1911 November 1, 1985 American Originally 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, 1918 May 20, 2003 American Tap dancer.
Penny Singleton September 15, 1908 November 12, 2003 American Actress and comedian, later found fame playing Blondie in a series of films and voicing Jane Jetson.
Singer's Midgets mostly Austrian and Hungarian A 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 American Musical 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, 1913 September 17, 1997 American Comedian, who later found fame on both the big and small screen. [238]
Tod Sloan August 10, 1874 December 21, 1933 American Former 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, 1875 May 2, 1939 American Actor.
Roy Smeck February 6, 1900 April 5, 1994 American Guitar, banjo, ukulele and Hawaiian guitar virtuoso. [240]
Smith and Dale American Comic 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, 1894 February 1, 1984 American Singer and dancer. [242]
Bessie Smith April 15, 1894 September 26, 1937 American Legendary 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, 1879 October 4, 1949 American Musician. Songwriter of "Ballin' the Jack." [243]
Clara Smith c. 1894 February 2, 1935 American Blues 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, 1898 May 13, 1950 American Singer known for his "whispering" style of singing.
Kate Smith May 1, 1907 June 17, 1986 American Singer, 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, 1883 September 16, 1946 American Blues singer. Smith toured nationally as "Mamie Smith and Her Jazz Hounds", in the 1920s. [161][247]
Pinetop Smith June 11, 1904 March 15, 1929 American Jazz pianist.
Trixie Smith 1895 September 21, 1943 American Blues singer. Toured the T.O.B.A. circuits from 1918. [248]
Willie "The Lion" Smith November 25, 1897 April 18, 1973 American Jazz pianist.
John Philip Sousa November 6, 1854 March 6, 1932 American Composer and band conductor. [249]
Eddie South November 27, 1904 April 25, 1962 American Jazz violinist.
Elsie Southgate January 23, 1880 May 5, 1946 British Violinist, billed as "The Royal Violinist."
Leora Spellman July 13, 1890 September 4, 1945 American Singer and actress.
Victoria Spivey October 5, 1906 1976 American Blues singer.
Ruth St. Denis April 16, 1889 July 21, 1968 American Dancer. [250]
George Stallings November 17, 1867 May 13, 1929 American Baseball player who appeared in vaudeville as a monologist. [68]
Aileen Stanley 1897 March 24, 1982 American Singer. Had an act with her brother, Stanley & Aileen. [251]
Paul Stanley (Sonnenburg) abt. 1847 March 15, 1907 American Comedian and Composer, who some credit with writing the music for the ditty Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay. [252]
Orville Stamm June 29, 1893 May 8, 1963 American Strongman
John Steel 1895 1971 American Singer. [253]
Julius Steger March 4, 1870 February 25, 1959 American Actor in a playlet he wrote himself, The Fifth Commandment. [254]
Harry Steppe March 1888 November 22, 1943 Russian-American Actor, Jewish dialect comedian and hobo clown.
Cal Stewart 1856 1919 American Comic monologist.
Dorothy Stickney June 21, 1896 June 2, 1998 American Singer and dancer.
Frank Stokes December 1887 or January 1888 September 12, 1955 American Singer, blues musician and blackface minstrel.
Fred Stone August 19, 1873 March 6, 1959 American Acrobat, tightrope walker, minstrel, and actor. [255]
Charley Straight January 16, 1891 September 22, 1940 American Pianist, bandleader and composer.
Gabby Street September 30, 1882 February 6, 1951 American Baseball player who appeared in vaudeville.
Dana Suesse December 3, 1909 October 16, 1987 American Dancer, songwriter, lyricist and pianist.
Anne Sullivan April 14, 1866 October 20, 1926 American Teacher to Helen Keller who appeared with her when she lectured. [256]
Gus Sun October 7, 1868 October 1, 1959 American Juggler and minstrel. Later, the owner of the Gus Sun Circuit. [257]
Valeska Suratt June 22, 1882 July 2, 1962 American Actress. [258]
Mack Swain February 16, 1876 August 25, 1935 American Comedian who later appeared in Mack Sennett's Keystone comedies. [259]
Blanche Sweet June 18, 1896 September 6, 1986 American Actress, 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[edit]

Name Birth Death Nationality Performance notes Reference
Chief Tahachee March 4, 1904 June 9, 1978 American Actor.
Edith Taliaferro December 21, 1893 March 2, 1958 American performed with her sister, Mabel Taliaferro [261]
Mabel Taliaferro May 21, 1887 January 24, 1979 American performed with her sister, Edith Taliaferro [261]
Eva Tanguay August 1, 1878 January 11, 1947 Canadian Singer. [118][262]
Julius Tannen May 16, 1880 January 3, 1965 American Monologist. [263]
Daisy Tapley 1882 1925 American Contralto. Travelled to Britain and played in production of In Dahomey. [263]
Lilyan Tashman October 23, 1899 March 21, 1934 American Actor, singer and dancer. Started out as a principle actress for Gus Edwards and ended up as a Ziegfeld girl. [264]
Dub Taylor February 26, 1907 October 3, 1994 American Actor.
Eva Taylor January 22, 1895 October 31, 1977 American Singer and dancer. Was a "pickaninny" or "pick" for Phina and Her Picks (later Josephine Gassman and Her Pickaninnies). [13]
Tell Taylor October 14, 1876 November 24, 1937 American Singer and songwriter.
Lou Tellegen November 26, 1881 October 29, 1934 Dutch Actor who appeared in a sketch from his play, Blind Youth. [59]
Fay Templeton December 25, 1865 October 3, 1939 American Actress and singer. [265]
Dame Ellen Terry February 27, 1847 July 21, 1928 British Actress who also appeared with her sister, Kate Terry. [261]
Denman Thompson October 15, 1833 April 11, 1911 American Actor. [266]
Lydia Thompson February 19, 1836 November 17, 1908 American Actress. [267]
Bonnie Thornton c. 1871 March 13, 1920 American Singer known as "The Original Tutti-Frutti Girl." [268]
Richard Thorpe 24 February 1896 January 13, 1961 American Singer and actor. Later in Hollywood films. [269]
Howard Thurston July 20, 1869 April 13, 1936 American Magician. [270]
Dox Thrash 1893 1965 American Actor.
Three Meyakos Japanese-American Song and dance act consisting of siblings Esther Kudara, Florence Kudara, and George Kudara. [271]
Three Stooges American A 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 American Harmony singing trio consisting of Pearl Santos, Violet Hamilton, and Jessie Fordyce. [273]
"Big Bill" Tilden February 10, 1893 June 5, 1953 American Tennis player and monologist. [274]
Vesta Tilley May 13, 1864 September 16, 1962 British Male impersonator. [275]
Tim and Irene American Comic duo composed of Tim Ryan (July 5, 1889 – October 22, 1956) and his wife, Irene Ryan (October 17, 1902 – April 26, 1973).
Herman Timberg 1892 April 16, 1952 American Comedy monologist who would often exit the stage on all fours and perform trick violin playing. [276]
Joe Tinker July 27, 1880 July 27, 1948 American Baseball player who appeared in vaudeville around 1911. [134]
Frank Tinney March 29, 1878 November 28, 1940 American Blackface comic who would perform trick violin playing. [277]
Lydia Yeamans Titus 1866 December 30, 1929 American Character actress and singer. [278]
Eddie Tolan September 29, 1908 July 30 or 31, 1967 American Sprinter who appeared briefly with Bill "Bojangles" Robinson.
Rudy Toombs 1914 November 28, 1962 American Song and dance man.
Raquel Torres 1908 1987 Mexican Actress.
Toto 1888 December 15, 1938 Swiss Clown who performed with his dog, Whisky. [278]
Patsy Touhey 1865 1923 Irish-American Player of the uilleann pipes.
Arthur Tracy June 25, 1899 October 5, 1997 Russian-American Singer (baritone) of sentimental songs. [278]
Doris Eaton Travis March 14, 1904 May 11, 2010 American Singer, dancer and Ziegfeld girl.
Al Treloar May 11, 1873 February 28, 1960 American Strong man and weightlifter. Assistant to Eugen Sandow, 1893-1894. Performed with wife Edna Tempest, 1903-1907.
Andrew Tribble 1879 October 15, 1935 American African-American comedian and female impersonator. [279]
Sophie Tucker January 13, 1884 February 9, 1966 American Singer, known as "The Last of the Red Hot Mamas." [280]
Ben Turpin September 19, 1869 July 1, 1940 American Comedian. [281]
Lurene Tuttle August 29, 1906 May 28, 1986 American Actress.
Two Black Crows American Blackface 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, 1865 February 7, 1907 American Contralto and actress
Myrtle Vail January 7, 1888 September 18, 1978 American Tap dancer.
Rudolph Valentino May 6, 1895 August 23, 1926 Italian Ballroom 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, 1901 July 3, 1986 American Singer, actor and bandleader. [285]
Egbert Van Alstyne March 4, 1978 July 9, 1951 American Pianist and songwriter. One of his most well-known songs is "In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree." [286]
Van and Schenck August 12, 1886 March 12, 1968 American Comic 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, 1889 February 5, 1943 American Child actor, later became renown for directing such films as Trader Horn, Tarzan the Ape Man and The Thin Man.
Frank Van Hoven 1887 December 1929 American Magician. [288]
Billy B. Van August 3, 1871 November 16, 1950 American Comedian. [282]
Clarice Vance March 14, 1871 August 24, 1961 American Singer. [289]
Gertrude Vanderbilt 1880 December 18, 1960 American Singer and dancer. [290]
Vasco 1871 May 9, 1925 British Magician. [291]
Dai Vernon June 11, 1894 1992 Canadian Magician known for his card tricks.
Jules Vernon April 2, 1867 May 17, 1937 British Ventriloquist. [292]
Vesta Victoria November 26, 1873 April 7, 1951 British Singer. [293]
Nedra Volz June 18, 1908 January 20, 2003 American Actress who appeared as Baby Nedra.
Harry Von Tilzer July 8, 1872 January 10, 1946 American Pianist 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[edit]

Name Birth Death Nationality Performance notes Reference
Ted Waldman February 12, 1899 February 1, 1987 American Harmonica player. [295]
Fats Waller May 21, 1904 December 15, 1943 American Pianist 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 1877 April 17, 1934 American Actress.
Henry B. Walthall March 16, 1878 June 17, 1936 American Actor. [59]
Florence Walton 1890 January 7, 1981 American Dancer. [298]
Fannie Ward June 22, 1872 January 27, 1952 American Actress. [299]
Hap Ward July 1868 January 3, 1944 American Comedian, dancer, and actor who was one half of the comedy duo Ward and Vokes. [300][301]
Frederick Warde February 23, 1851 February 17, 1935 British Shakespearean actor, monologist and actor in playlets. [302]
David Warfield 1866 1951 American Actor. [303]
Fred Waring June 9, 1900 July 29, 1984 American Bandleader of the band Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians [304]
Jethro Warner July 26, 1874 April 13, 1931 American Performed with his wife as Floyd and Warner. [305]
Warren Lloyd Warrener Dec 23, 1889 Dec 4, 1961 American Actor, Singer [306]
George Dewey Washington May 1, 1898 American Singer. [307]
Ethel Waters October 31, 1896 September 1, 1977 American Singer 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 American Actor.
Kitty Watson & Fanny Watson American Comic sister act with Kitty (March 14, 1886 - March 3, 1967) and Fanny Watson (1885 - May 17, 1970). [311]
Hinda Wausau 1906 1980 American Chorus girl who became a star of striptease and burlesque. [312][313]
Ned Wayburn March 30, 1874 September 2, 1942 American Singer and dancer. [314]
Guy Weadick 1885 1953 American Wild West performer and, with his wife (Weadick and LaDue), creator of the "Stampede Act." [96]
Clifton Webb November 19, 1889 October 13, 1966 American Actor 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-American Comic 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, 1926 American Jewish comic. [318]
Niles Welch July 29, 1888 November 21, 1976 American Actor.
Señor Wences April 17, 1896 April 20, 1999 Spanish-American Ventriloquist, best known for his appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show. [319]
Mae West August 17, 1893 November 22, 1980 American Actress and comedian, known for breaking the mold with her taboo performances on both stage and screen. [320]
Roland West February 20, 1885 May 31, 1952 American Actor.
Wheeler and Woolsey American Comic duo with Bert Wheeler (April 7, 1895 – January 18, 1968) and Robert Woolsey (August 14, 1888 – October 31, 1938). [321]
Albert Whelan May 5, 1875 February 19, 1961 Australian Eccentric dancer. [322]
Dan White March 25, 1908 July 7, 1980 American Actor.
George White 1890 October 10, 1968 Canadian-American Dancer. [323][324]
Sammy White 1894 1960 American Song and dance comedian. [325]
Thelma White December 4, 1910 January 11, 2005 American Dancer with The White Sisters and later as a Ziegfeld girl.
Paul Whiteman March 28, 1890 December 29, 1967 American Bandleader. [326]
Annabelle Whitford 1878 November 30, 1961 American Modern dancer. [327]
Whiting and Burt American Song 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, 1859 January 10, 1915 American Hunchbacked dwarf monologist. [329]
Jess Willard December 29, 1881 December 15, 1968 Spanish-American Boxer and actor. [330]
Bert Williams November 12, 1874 March 4, 1922 British West Indian Actor, pantomimist and singer. [331][332]
Bransby Williams 1870 1961 British Actor, comedian and monologist. [333]
Clarence Williams October 8, 1898 November 6, 1965 American Minstrel, singer and pianist. [334]
Herb Williams 1884 October 1, 1936 American Comedian. [335]
Jay Williams May 31, 1914 July 12, 1978 American Comedian.
Nat M. Wills July 11, 1873 December 9, 1917 American "The Happy Tramp" monologist. [336]
Edith Wilson 1906 March 30, 1981 American Blues singer. [337]
Francis Wilson February 7, 1854 October 7, 1935 American Minstrel and comedian. [338]
Walter Winchell April 7, 1897 February 20, 1972 American Actor and singer. [339]
Charles Winninger May 26, 1884 January 27, 1969 American Trapeze artist and actor with his family's act, the Winninger Family Concert Co. [96]
Basil Wolverton July 9, 1909 December 31, 1978 American Actor.
Daisy Wood September 15, 1877 October 19, 1961 British Singer and sister to Marie Lloyd. [340]
Wee Georgie Wood December 17, 1895 February 19, 1979 British Midget comedian who played children. [341]
Bessie Wynn 1876 July 8, 1968 American "The Lady Dainty of Vaudeville" singer. [342]
Ed Wynn November 9, 1886 June 19, 1966 American Comedian and actor. Known as "The Perfect Fool." [342][343]
Gus Yorke February 14, 1861 December 27, 1939 American With Nick Adams in "Yorke and Adams". Command performance of "Potash and Perlmutter" at the Queens Theatre, 14th April 1914.
Clara Kimball Young September 6, 1890 October 15, 1960 American Actress who appeared in a sketch called "The Adorable Wife." Headlined at the Palace, April, 1925. [344]
Lester Young August 27, 1909 March 15, 1959 American Clarinetist and saxophonist.
Margaret Young 1900 May 3, 1969 American Singer.
Henny Youngman March 16, 1906 February 24, 1998 British-American Comedian, bandleader and violinist. [345]
Joe Yule April 30, 1894 March 30, 1950 Scottish Comedian and father to Mickey Rooney. [198]
George Zucco January 11, 1886 May 28, 1960 British Character actor who toured with his wife, Frances in a satirical sketch about suffragettes.
Yetta Zwerling December 25, 1889 January 17, 1982 Austrian Actress, 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[edit]

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