Julian Eltinge

American vaudeville star

Also known as: William Dalton

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Original name:: William Dalton

Born:: May 14, 1883, Newtonville, Mass., U.S.

Died:: March 7, 1941, New York, N.Y. (aged 57)

Also Known As:: William Dalton

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Julian Eltinge (born May 14, 1883, Newtonville, Mass., U.S.—died March 7, 1941, New York, N.Y.) was an American vaudeville star, often called the greatest female impersonator in theatrical history.

Eltinge played his first female role at age 10. A graduate of Harvard, he entered vaudeville in 1904, soon commanding one of the highest salaries in show business. During a successful tour of the United States and Europe in 1907, he gave a command performance for King Edward VII. His stage successes included The Fascinating Widow (1911), written for him, in which he played the dual role of Mrs. Monte and Hal Blake; The Crinoline Girl (1914); and Cousin Lucy (1915). He continued working in vaudeville from 1918 to 1927 and also starred in several silent motion pictures. Women admired his wardrobe and were his greatest fans.

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