Originating in 19th-century France, vaudeville, a circus-like form of entertainment, spread through Canada and the US during 1880s-1930s. It presented singing, dancing, comedy, theater, and unique circus acts often dubbed "freaks," such as The Lion Man and Four-Legged Lady Myrtle Corbin. Vaudeville challenged norms of style and morality, thriving in an era of limitless possibilities. Here are 15 notable and unconventional vaudeville performers.
Weber and Fields
When it comes to influencing the future of entertainment, it’s tough to beat Joe Weber and Lew Fields. Acting as hapless immigrants named Mike and Meyer, Weber and Fields captivated audiences with their wit, relatable humor and musical prowess. Their partnership flourished in an era when vaudeville was at its zenith, and they paved the way for modern comedic duos.
Their act influenced the Marx Brothers, who admired their clever wordplay and slapstick humor, as well as the Three Stooges and Laurel and Hardy. Their venue, The Weber and Fields Music Hall, contributed to Broadway becoming what it is today.
Lionel The Lion Faced Man
In 1891, Cristian Ramos entered the world wrapped in a dense, lengthy coat of hair, a result of the rare condition known as hypertrichosis. His mother attributed his unique appearance to her witnessing his father being attacked by a lion during her pregnancy. Seeing him as an anomaly, she relinquished him at the age of 4 to a man named Sedlmayer, who proceeded to showcase him across Europe.
Lionel's journey brought him to the United States in 1901, where he became a captivating presence in the Barnum and Bailey circus, later taking his act to Coney Island upon his move to New York. As the late 1920s approached, he chose to retire and returned to Germany, his homeland. Unfortunately, his life came to an end in 1932, when he suffered a heart attack.
The Dolly Sisters
In 1909, the Hungarian twin sisters Rosie and Jenny Dolly debuted an act in which they danced in perfect synchronicity, wore identical costumes, and used mirrors to heighten the effect. It was a phenomenal success. Their performances, combined with their beauty and outgoing personalities, led to the Dolly sisters becoming one of the most famous acts in the world.
By the 1920s the sisters were millionaires and headline-grabbing playgirls who enjoyed affairs with the most eligible men in the world, They even contributed to the bankruptcy of Harry Selfridge, the department store pioneer, who became obsessed with them. Sadly, Jenny’s life ended in tragedy after a car crash left her disfigured and depressed and she took her own life.
Eva Tanguay
“She came on like a meteor, but there is a lasting quality,” wrote Ashton Stevens in the Chicago Examiner. “What is that quality? Radium? Electricity? Sheer nerve? Or, as Eva Tanguay herself comically suggests, madness?” Known as the “I Don’t Care” girl, Tanguay was the original wild child. Her act, at its core, was a bawdy song and dance routine.
Tanguay’s appeal, however, was not that she was talented, but that she was crazy and she didn’t care what anyone thought about that. She stole shows when she was supposed to be a background chorus member. She assaulted co-stars and stagehands. She pushed on-stage nudity to scandalous levels. She blazed a notorious trail that many have followed since.
The Four-Legged Myrtle Corbin
Meet Myrtle Corbin, the intriguing Four-Legged Girl from Texas, known for her rare condition, dipygus. Born with conjoined twinning, she had two pelvises and a smaller pair of inner legs she could move. At just a month old, her father charged neighbors a dime to see her...
P.T. Barnum took notice, launching her career at 13, performing with Ringling Bros. and a Coney Island freak show. By 18, she retired, having earned enough money to start a family. She wed and had five children, three born from one "orifice" and two from the other.
Vernon and Irene Castle
Dancing of all kinds today, no matter how raunchy, is so widely accepted that it is an everyday part of our lives. That victory, however, was a battle hard fought. Almost every generation in history has scandalized its predecessors by pushing the boundaries of what is considered “acceptable” in dance.
In the early 1900s, two of the biggest pioneers in bringing previously “shameful” dance steps to “proper society” were Vernon and Irene Castle. The Castles made a wide range of new dance steps acceptable in society, including the foxtrot and tango, becoming celebrity and style icons. Their partnership tragically came to an end when Vernon died in a plane crash during World War I, but their legacy endured, as they transformed formal dance to a social activity.
Laverie Vallee
In an act as outrageous as it was impressive, Laverie Vallee combined strength, aerial acrobatics, and striptease. Under the name Charmion, Vallee debuted her controversial act on Christmas Day, 1897, in New York. At a time, when women’s bodies were hotly contested, Valée's trailblazing impact influenced notable artists like Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, who captured her essence in a series of iconic posters and paintings.
Through her innovative and skillful performance, Vallee championed “women’s liberation from restrictive clothing, women’s ability to develop muscular strength like men, and the benefits of such ideas for their health and well-being.” Vallee’s “Trapeze Disrobing Act” was so captivating that Thomas Edison chose it as a test subject for his prototype video camera, the Kinetograph.
Houdini
While most of the vaudeville’s biggest names have dropped from public consciousness over the last century, Harry Houdini is still a household name across much of the world. Recognized as the seminal escape artist, Houdini was an accomplished illusionist, a stuntman, an inventor, and - above all - an unrivaled promoter of himself and his brand.
During his career, Houdini escaped from a straitjacket while suspended from a subway crane, a packing crate submerged in New York's East River, and a pair of special handcuffs commissioned by the Daily Mirror newspaper in London. On another occasion, Houdini was buried alive before clawing his way to the surface in a state of apparent panic.
Butterbeans and Susie
Most successful variety acts ever have been duos who sing, dance and deliver comedy with perfect timing. A pioneering and influential act of this kind came in the form of Butterbeans and Susie. Jodie, as Butterbeans, appeared as a hilariously brow-beaten husband until, at the end of the performance, the love between him and Susie shone through.
As black performers, Jodie and Susie Edwards never reached the same notoriety as their white counterparts but their husband and wife routine sent audiences wild with laughter and affection. Though raw in its form, the Butterbeans and Susie act provided the template for an endearing and popular show concept that is still adopted by performers today.
Le Petomane- The Professional Farter
In a world where fame often stems from dubious sources, history's most famous flatulist, Le Petomane (Joseph Pujol), stood as a unique testament. Born in 1857, Pujol's abdominal prowess propelled him to stardom, with the ability to "exhale" air through his butt, not actual farts.
His name, a fusion of "péter" (French for "to fart") and "-mane" (meaning "-maniac"), solidified his title as "The Fart Maniac." Pujol's rise to fame saw him become the highest-grossing performer at the Moulin Rouge, even impressing with water-sucking antics and a quirky portrayal in a 2001 Baz Luhrmann film. Respected by artists like Renoir and Matisse, he performed for royalty, even influencing Sigmund Freud's theories.
Tarrare
Tarrare, a Frenchman born in the 18th century, was infamous for his insatiable appetite. His bizarre condition led him to devour astounding amounts of food, including live animals and inedible objects. He was even kicked out of his family home as his parents struggled to meet his dietary demands. Employed by the military as a spy and courier, his unique skill enabled him to swallow messages and transport them, but his habits shunned him from society.
Tarrare's life took a macabre turn when he joined a traveling sideshow, exhibiting his astonishing eating feats to the public. Despite the spectacle, his health deteriorated rapidly, marked by extreme weight loss and malnutrition. His mysterious death at just 26 left behind a legacy of fascination and bewilderment, as modern medical understanding struggles to explain the strange condition that defined his life.
Daisy and Violet Hilton
The Hilton twins' story was one of the most gut-wrenching in the history of the vaudeville. Abandoned by their mother at birth, the conjoined twins were paraded in freakshows by their abusive guardian Mary “Auntie” Hilton, who also took every penny they made.
They were also coerced into performing in the vaudeville, and although they enjoyed major success and even performed with legends such as Bob Hope, again, Mary Hilton to everything for herself. Even after they were set free after a long legal battle and got the money they rightfully deserved, Dasiy and Violet became irrelevant as time went by. They ended up working as cashiers for a supermarket manager who pitied them, and died in the flu epidemic in January 1969.
Lillian Russell
Before Lillian Russell, there were only two types of female singers in vaudeville. First, there was the angel who appealed to higher society and acted as "proper ladies”. Then, there was the vixen, exemplified by Lola Montez, who set pulses racing with their “naughty” antics.
Lillian Russell fused both together and became one of the biggest stars in vaudeville, also acting as a women's trailblazer as she actively negotiated contracts and demanded better terms in an era when women had limited power. She was married four times, one of which was bigamous, and followed her incredible stage career by working as a columnist, lecturer, and campaigner for women’s suffrage.
Al Jolson
Billing himself as "The World's Greatest Entertainer”, Al Jolson took the stage with a "shamelessly sentimental, melodramatic approach" and became one of the most successful performers of his time. He was also the star of, The Jazz Singer, the first-ever Hollywood movie to include sound. Contrary to the picture, Al Jolson is white, and is controversially referred to as "the king of blackface performers".
Despite this, many critics believe Jolson was actually a major influence in moving beyond the blackface period and he is credited by some for fighting against discrimination on Broadway. "No one had heard anything quite like [him] before," historian Stephen Banfield has written, adding that Jolson’s style was "arguably the single most important factor in defining the modern musical."
Al Jolson
Billing himself as "The World's Greatest Entertainer”, Al Jolson took the stage with a "shamelessly sentimental, melodramatic approach" and became one of the most successful performers of his time. He was also the star of, The Jazz Singer, the first-ever Hollywood movie to include sound. Contrary to the picture, Al Jolson is white, and is controversially referred to as "the king of blackface performers".
Despite this, many critics believe Jolson was actually a major influence in moving beyond the blackface period and he is credited by some for fighting against discrimination on Broadway. "No one had heard anything quite like [him] before," historian Stephen Banfield has written, adding that Jolson’s style was "arguably the single most important factor in defining the modern musical."
Frank Fay
Though TV shows like America's Got Talent, off-Broadway theater, and Fringe festivals such as the one seen in Edinburgh, Scotland, are making a token effort to keep vaudeville-style variety acts alive, it is an art form that is very much on the outskirts of modern entertainment. One of the major mediums it has evolved into is stand-up comedy.
Today’s biggest comedians make millions of dollars and play in huge arenas or on prime-time TV, and none of them would be doing it without Frank Fay. “The Great Faysie” pioneered a brand of acerbic wit, delivered through monologues, which formed the foundations upon which all stand-up comedy stands today.
Frank Fay
Though TV shows like America's Got Talent, off-Broadway theater, and Fringe festivals such as the one seen in Edinburgh, Scotland, are making a token effort to keep vaudeville-style variety acts alive, it is an art form that is very much on the outskirts of modern entertainment. One of the major mediums it has evolved into is stand-up comedy.
Today’s biggest comedians make millions of dollars and play in huge arenas or on prime-time TV, and none of them would be doing it without Frank Fay. “The Great Faysie” pioneered a brand of acerbic wit, delivered through monologues, which formed the foundations upon which all stand-up comedy stands today.
Fred Karno
"Fred Karno is not only a genius, he is the man who originated slapstick comedy. We in Hollywood owe much to him," said the film producer Hal Roach. Karno earned his place in vaudeville as an acrobat and clown and is credited with popularizing one of the most famous gags in history, the custard-pie-in-the-face.
Karno’s true legacy, however, came from his work as a music hall impresario. From “Fred Karno’s Army” of more than 2,000 acts came Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel, among many others. Through training and promoting his roster of talented “Speechless Comedians”, Karno helped shape the theater and movie industries for decades. His influence will be felt forever.
The Cherry Sisters
“They began as the four worst professional actresses in the world and ended without improving one iota,” wrote American Weekly of the Cherry Sisters. To borrow a phrase, they were “the very best at being bad”. Encouraged by early support from audiences who knew them personally, the sisters built a reputation for being a truly terrible song and dance act.
Audiences bought tickets to see just how bad the Cherry Sisters could be, and often to throw objects at them onstage. When newspapers gave bad reviews, the Cherry Sisters sued and demanded apologies which generated even more publicity. Whether they knew they were awful or genuinely believed they had talent is an unanswered question that is still debated today.
Gus Edwards
Though he did begin his career as a moderately successful performer, it was when he began running his own vaudeville company that Gus Edwards really made his mark on theater history. Edwards specialized in giving young performers their first opportunity on stage and in doing so offered something different to the endless trail of older acts.
Edwards was a huge success and many entertainers got their break performing for him, often using material he had written. Eleanor Powell, George Jessel, Eddie Cantor, Groucho Marx, Phil Silvers, Hildegarde, Sally Rand, and the Lane Sisters are just some of the legendary names discovered and given to the world by Gus Edwards.
Williams and Walker
Bert Williams and George Walker broke new ground for black performers both in vaudeville and on Broadway. Often performing as the "Two Real Coons", in reference to the fact most other “black” acts on stage were actually white actors in blackface, Williams and Walker were the first black stars to be accepted on the white vaudeville circuit.
In addition to helping popularize the “cakewalk”, Williams and Walker also earned acceptance on Broadway, as recording artists, and in the movies. They starred in In Dahomey, "the first full-length musical written and played by blacks to be performed at a major Broadway house," and even performed it for English royalty at Buckingham Palace in London.
Helen and Olga Myra
Around 1923, two sisters appeared on the vaudeville scene with an unusual combination of talents. Both were accomplished violin players, an impressive skill in itself but not enough to wow the American stage circuit of the time. They made their mark by each adding something extra to the performance, and audiences loved it.
Helen Myra was a ballerina while Olga Myra was a contortionist who bent her body into bizarre positions without missing a note on her violin. Reviews from the time tell of “high kicks and her violining while she did the split”, “curling and uncurling herself to her violin playing,” and, “her backward bending and high kicking and splitting”.
Strange Creatures That Actually Exist
Our world is teeming with a diverse range of creatures, from massive to minuscule, furry to smooth, fearsome to adorable. Here is a list of many strange animals that actually exist. You may think that some of them appear to come out of a science fiction movie, but they are all very real! Be amazed at what you see and be hopeful that one day you might bump into one of these incredible creatures (maybe not at night...)
Pink River Dolphin Has a Unique Party Trick
Dolphins are a popular favorite for young children and adults alike. The loveable dolphin from Flipper only serves to strengthen the love for these water-bound mammals. But the pink river dolphin, native to the Amazon, is very different from its aquatic counterparts.
Not only is the color of the pink river dolphin a different tone, but their cervical vertebrae aren’t connected, meaning that they are able to revolve their heads a full 90 degrees. In addition to being able to twist their head around, they also boast a long, thin bill that is fully kitted with 25 to 28 pairs of teeth along each jaw. What a strange dolphin!
Greater Sage-Grouse and Its Chest-Popping Parade
There are certain creatures that the average person sees on a daily basis. Animals such as fluffy dogs, stealthy felines, and dull-colored pigeons. But for every “ordinary” creature, there’s a strange and peculiar one that exists. Such as these bizarre beings…
This male sage-grouse is not the prettiest bird to look at, but it is one of the weirdest. The two large air sacs that protrude from its feathered chest may repel us, but they attract female sage-grouses by making strange popping sounds. Sadly, these peculiar birds are dwindling in population as humans have shrunken their habitat.
The Pink Fairy Armadillo Is Not a Cute Teddy Bear
Some creatures are scary, some are fascinating, and others are truly bizarre. But the pink fairy armadillo looks as though it has just crawled out of a kiddie’s storybook. Its pastel pink body only reaches 5 inches long and it spends most of its time underground.
You may think that the lack of sun is what gives the little armadillo its pale hue, but it’s actually the creature’s blood. To keep its body at a healthy temperature, the little creature pumps blood in or out of its pink shell. Chances are that you haven’t seen one of these creatures before as they live in the deserts of Argentina and are hardly ever seen.
Blue Dragon (Glaucus Atlanticus) - The Mesmerizing Mollusk
The blue dragon is one of the rare species of nudibranch, a popular sighting on scuba diving trips. The strange-looking creature is both strange and beautiful, resembling a form of sea slug alien.
Although only 3-centimeters long, you could stare at the blue dragon for hours. The tiny sea creature stays afloat by holding a bubble of air in its tummy. This method of floating allows the blue dragon to munch on the venomous Portuguese man-of-war blue bottles. To make the most of their snacks, they steal the stingers and use them to ward off their own predators.
Giant African Land Snail - Not Your Average Mollusk
This picture of renowned YouTube star, Emzotic, and her pet giant African land snail may leave your jaw on the ground. The snail is huge and has earned the reputation of being quite a pest in certain American states. Their hermaphroditic makeup means that they breed like mad, and wreak havoc wherever they go.
They get their nutrition from munching the stucco off of houses in Miami. This calcium strengthens their shells - and their chance of survival. Unfortunately, these snails are invasive species, and the fact that humans keep them as pets doesn’t help with population control.
Silkie Chicken - The Ultimate Farm Pet
Does the sight of these Silkie chickens make you want to stroke them and nuzzle your nose in its feathers? We won’t blame you! These adorable silkies are as fluffy as they look and super friendly in nature. But they have a sneaky secret underneath their addictively soft feathers.
Under their light-colored feathers, the chicken has black (or dark blue) skin. In fact, even their body tissue is black. When the Silkie breed first originated in Asia, the fluffy plumage was only white. But since, they have been bred to be different colors.
Japanese Spider Crab - The World’s Largest Species of Crab
While Japanese people are stereotypically shorter in nature, the Japanese spider crab is especially large. These massive crustaceans continue to grow until their long, spindly legs reach around 12 feet across. The large crabs are found in the waters around - you guessed it - Japan, where they are considered a delicacy. However, it's forbidden to fish for them during their reproductive season.
While their large size may make them intimidating, they still need to protect themselves from predators. To do so, the huge spider crabs will latch themselves to other marine life as an effort of camouflage.
This Psychedelic Frogfish Adds a Funky Groove Under Water
Looking at this bright, patterned fish, you may be thinking that someone spiked your drink and blurred your vision. But this stunning fish is naturally “psychedelic” in appearance, boasting a swirl of sunset colors.
The psychedelic frogfish is not only tropical in appearance, but it also calls the paradise waters of Indonesia it’s home, particularly around Bali and Ambon Island. While the fish may look as though it is best suited to living in the funky era of the ’70s, it was actually only recently discovered in 2008!
The Jerboa Looks Like a Glorious Blend of Creatures
Have you ever seen such an adorable and bizarre-looking animal in your life? The jerboa, which is found across Arabia, Asia, and Northern Africa, is not your average rodent and will most certainly make you stop and stare.
It’s difficult to choose which part of this hopping creature is the cutest. The long ears? The short arms? Or it’s amusing posture? Your best bet of seeing the jerboa scurrying about is at night. But keep your eyes peeled. They may be small, but they can move at an impressive speed of 15 miles per hour!
The Quokka
If you're ever feeling down, just remember that there's a little animal out there called a quokka that's always smiling. Seriously, these things always look like they're happy, and they're absolutely adorable. Native to Australia, Quokkas are marsupials that look kind of like a cross between a miniature kangaroo and a small wallaby. They're mostly brown and white, and they have little round ears and a tail. Quokkas are herbivores, and they mainly eat grass.
They're nocturnal, so they sleep during the day and come out to feed at night. There are only around 10,000 quokkas left in the wild, so they're considered to be a vulnerable species. But thankfully, there are some conservation efforts underway to help protect them. So if you ever need a pick-me-up, just remember that there's a little animal out there called a quokka that's always smiling.
Ocean Sunfish - The Largest Bony Fish in the Sea
People all around the world have been tricked when seeing the largest bony fish in the ocean and thinking that it was a shark. But the docile Mola Mola, commonly known as the Ocean Sunfish, is harmless and slow-moving. Weighing up to 5,000 pounds and growing up to 14 feet in width, the giant fish enjoys soaking up the rays by hovering at the water's surface.
The fish lives in a symbiotic relationship with smaller fish and birds who pick at the parasites on the sunfish’s large surface area. Every now and then, when there are not enough birds to pick at the parasites, the passive creature will surprise ocean bystanders by jumping into the air, hoping to shake off the pests.
The Beautiful, Bopping Vogelkop Superb Bird-Of-Paradise
At first glance, this fan-looking bird appears completely normal. Its black and blue chest with blue spots on its head is quite a beautiful design, but that’s about it. In most instances, you wouldn’t look twice - until the males decide to put on a show for the females.
When the male is looking for a mate, he’ll lift his cape feathers up above his head, revealing a fascinating display of shimmering blue accents. Even more spectacular (and entertaining) is the hopping dance that is the final effort to win over the birdy heart of the lady.
I Spy With My Little Eye - An Aye-Aye
Stumbling across an Aye-Aye may leave you with nightmares. Their large ears, scraggly hair, and bony appendages are quite a sight to behold. But sadly, these odd primates are endangered due to habitat destruction and killings based on superstition. The few that do exist live in the rain forests of Madagascar.
Aye-Ayes have large opposable big toes that allow them to hang from branches and munch on bugs and coconuts. While they may not be the prettiest primates around, they are hardly an omen of death as the local population believes. Luckily, they are now protected from hunting by law.
The Ever-Youthful Axolotl Salamander
Salamanders, as a species, are rather strange in appearance and behavior. But the Axolotl is even more unique and odd. As you can see in this picture, the “Mexican walking fish” maintains the same attributes as those of normal teenage salamanders - even as adults. The species of tiger salamander keep their external gills, tail, and aquatic lifestyle throughout adulthood.
Another fascinating fact about these cheerful amphibians is their ability to regenerate their limbs. Unfortunately, they need more than their limbs to stay alive and the precious creatures have become critically endangered.
Pink Dragon Millipedes Produce Hydrogen Cyanide
You either love bugs or you hate them. If you fall into the latter group, then the sight of a millipede and its 200 pairs of legs may cover you in goosebumps. But perhaps seeing these fascinating creatures in a luminous pink color may teach you to appreciate them.
The pink dragon millipede was first discovered in a limestone cavern in Uthai Thani, Thailand. You can only imagine the intrigue of uncovering this bright creature. But while these mesmerizing bugs are small in size, they are also deadly, using hydrogen cyanide to ward off predators.
Helmeted Hornbill and Their Coveted “Casques”
This strange bird seems to have got stuck halfway along the line of evolving from dinosaurs. It’s large “helmet” is a truly unique feature of appearance, commonly referred to as a casque, and makes up more than 10% of their body weight. While these casques are used by the birds to fight each other mid-air over fig trees and territories, they are used by humans for something else.
The casques have become a target for poachers who hunt the birds for their helmets to carve them into art and jewelry. The desire to hunt these birds has led to at least 6,000 birds being killed each year since 2011.
A Ctenophora Is Not a Robot Descending From Another Planet
One look at the Ctenophora may be enough to make you believe in aliens, or the threat of artificial intelligence, it is actually just a marine species that looks a lot like jellyfish. Commonly known as “comb jellies”, ctenophores use sticky cells to catch their prey.
Unlike jellyfish, ctenophores don’t sting their prey - although their long tentacles may encourage you to keep your distance. While these futuristic creatures aren’t directly harmful to humans, they are risky in other ways as they don’t have any serious predators and so pose a threat to the ecosystem.
Heikegani Crab - The Crustacean Samurai Warrior
There are thousands of types of crabs, and at least 850 known species. But the Heikegani crab is truly unique. What makes the 4-centimeter crab particularly special is the mythical story that surrounds it.
The hard shell closely resembles an angry samurai face, and Japanese folklore suggests that the face is formed from the souls of the Heike clan, the group that died in a battle in 1185. This perception is the perfect example of pareidolia, the instinct to see faces, patterns, or meanings in places that they don’t exist.
Lowland Streaked Tenrec and Its Cartoon Appearance
These funny-looking creatures appear to be the perfect love child between a hedgehog and a Pokémon. Yet the lowland streaked tenrec is a real creature and can only be found in Madagascar.
There are 37 different tenrec species on the island, but none quite as colorful as the lowland streaked tenrec. And how’s this for a fun fact - the flesh of the animal is enjoyed as a form of exotic meat! Although the captors will have to get through a body of quills first.