Comedian and music-hall star, born in London, UK. He began his career as an entertainer at the age of four, and by 18 had become a champion clog-dancer. Ten years later he joined the Augustus Harris management at Drury Lane, where he starred for many years in the annual pantomime as an actor, singer, dancer, and mime, parodying the petty-bourgeoisie and provincial types. He was particularly successful in comic women's roles, such as Widow Twankey and Cinderella's stepmother. A thin, small man, his foil was the huge, bulky Herbert Campbell. Leno was the first music hall performer to give a command performance (for Edward VII), in 1901.
Dan Leno (born George Wild Galvin, (December 20, 1860 - October 31, 1904) was an English music hall comedian whose act typically revolved around cockney humour and dressing up as a pantomime dame.
Life and career
Dan was born in London, England where his parents had been music hall entertainers.
In the 1880s he became probably the most popular music hall act in England, performing in up to 20 shows a night.
In 1896 he was hired by Augustus Harris, manager at the Drury Lane to appear in pantomime productions that included Jack and the Beanstalk, Babes in the Wood and Mother Goose.
In 1902 Leno suffered a mental breakdown and died soon after.
Legacy
Dan Leno remains an important figure in the development of comedy in the late 19th century. Along with the likes of similar music hall stars such as Marie Lloyd, Albert Chevalier and George Robey, legendary masters of mirth such as Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Laurel and Hardy owe a debt to him and the enduring humour from this period.
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