Topic: Comedians

Joe Cook: The One-Man Vaudeville Show by David Soren

Of all the forgotten geniuses of vaudeville, Joe Cook (born Joseph Lopez in Evansville, Indiana 1890 – died New York State, May 15, 1959) is arguably the greatest. A master of versatility, he could sing, dance, act, juggle Indian clubs, perform acrobatics, rotate another human with his feet while lying on his back, tightrope-walk, mime,…Continue Reading Joe Cook: The One-Man Vaudeville Show by David Soren

Jimmy Durante: The Great Schnozzola by David Soren

Jimmy Durante (New York City, February 10, 1893 – Santa Monica, California, January 29, 1980) was a unique entertainer and reportedly one of the kindest, sweetest people at the top of the entertainment world. He was an accomplished although self-taught ragtime piano player with a singing voice that sounded like a pneumatic drill glossing over…Continue Reading Jimmy Durante: The Great Schnozzola by David Soren

Leon Errol: Versatile Rubber-Legged Comedian – by David Soren

This collection comprises primarily two scrapbooks describing the stage career of the comedian Leon Errol (1881 or more likely, 1876-1951), on the vaudeville circuits in the Northwest and then in New York with the Ziegfeld Follies. There are also later publicity photographs of Errol from Culver Pictures, First National Pictures, Universal Pictures, and Paramount Pictures,…Continue Reading Leon Errol: Versatile Rubber-Legged Comedian – by David Soren

Leon Errol: The Rubber-Legged Scoundrel of Vaudeville by Frank Cullen

Comedian, dancer, producer, director and writer Leon Errol never told jokes, but he was among the finest comedians. Squinty-eyed, bald and beaked, Errol looked and acted like an aggravated chicken. Often his film character was a befuddled, lecherous, lying sot, and his signature act was a rubber-legged drunken stagger that sometimes segued into dance. Like…Continue Reading Leon Errol: The Rubber-Legged Scoundrel of Vaudeville by Frank Cullen

Jack Benny: Forever 39 by Natasha Rapp

Jack Benny: Forever 39 By Nicole Rapp Valentine’s Day in 1894 marked the birth of the 20th century’s most beloved American comedian, Jack Benny. Though the decades of Benny’s career, he entertained audiences with his hosting capabilities and is comedic monologues and violin performances. With his gentle humor and miserly persona he achieved unbroken popularity…Continue Reading Jack Benny: Forever 39 by Natasha Rapp

Irene Franklin: Pioneer of Female Stand-Up Comedy by David Soren

Of all the great forgotten stars of vaudeville, no one more regrettably forgotten comes to mind than the great Irene Franklin (born 13 June 1876 in New York City – 16 June 1941 in Englewood, New Jersey. Long before there were female comedy stand-up pioneers such as Jackie “Moms” Mabley or Joan Rivers there were…Continue Reading Irene Franklin: Pioneer of Female Stand-Up Comedy by David Soren

Elsie Janis: Vaudeville’s Heroine of World War I by David Soren

Elsie Janis (Born Delaware, Ohio 1-16-1889 – Died Beverly Hills, California 2-26-1956) was an American vaudevillian, Broadway superstar and World War I heroine who was once one of the most famous women in show business. While a little child she showed a gift for mimicry which was encouraged by her divorced mother Jennie, who was…Continue Reading Elsie Janis: Vaudeville’s Heroine of World War I by David Soren

Eddie Cantor: Vaudeville’s Most Versatile “Kid” by David Soren

Eddie Cantor (New York, January 11, 1892 – Beverly Hills, California October 10, 1964) was one of the most popular, enduring entertainers of the 20th century who was famous for vaudeville, Broadway, records, movies and television. He is the only entertainer to have been so successful in all of these media over such a substantial…Continue Reading Eddie Cantor: Vaudeville’s Most Versatile “Kid” by David Soren