2 years, 5 months ago
When and where was actor, singer, comedian Al. H. Wilson born?
The "where" (city or town) is the most important part!
I hope someone has access to historical theatrical books or records that I don't. Wilson was very popular in his time and also wrote some of the songs he performed. Here is a contemporary biography from 1909; but, it doesn't say anything about where or when he was born or raised.:
"Al. H. Wilson FOR the past nine years Al. H. Wilson has been one of our most popular stars, making a particularly individual place for himself in the modern style of German romantic plays. He has built up a large and loyal following throughout the country, and by the high standard of his productions, the excellence of his plays and supporting casts, he deserves every particle of the success he has known. As a delineator of German dialect roles Mr. Wilson stands conspicuously pre-eminent, being a leader in this particular branch of his art, and upon the strength of his beautiful baritone voice he long ago won the sobriquet of " the golden-voiced singer," a most deserving and happily apropos title. Previous to entering the stellar ranks, Mr. Wilson had made a reputation for himself in a number of prominent musical farces, among a few of these being with Hallen and Hart as Carl Pretzel in " The Idea," as John Stofel in " Struck Oil," and as Professor Von Bilderbogen in " The Twentieth Century Girl," in each of which he was notably successful. He made his debut at the head of his own company the season of 1900-01, offering " The Watch on the Rhine," which he presented two years, and then came an equal length of time " A Prince of Tatters." The season of 1904-05, owing to popular request, Mr. Wilson revived " The Watch on the Rhine," and the next season he was seen in " The German Gypsy." Following this came two years in " Metz in the Alps " and, during 1908-09, he made the most pretentious production of his career, "When Old New York Was Dutch," in which he enjoyed great success. Mr. Wilson's stellar fame is not of the milk and water, made-over-night, variety; he has achieved his present enviable place by application and ambition, advancing steadily forward each season, and his fame and success are but the reward of merit, backed up by pluck and determination. Our ranks of stars would include even more names had we only more actors of Mr. Wilson's mental and artistic caliber. " From the Actors Birthday Book 1909
I hope someone has access to historical theatrical books or records that I don't. Wilson was very popular in his time and also wrote some of the songs he performed. Here is a contemporary biography from 1909; but, it doesn't say anything about where or when he was born or raised.:
"Al. H. Wilson FOR the past nine years Al. H. Wilson has been one of our most popular stars, making a particularly individual place for himself in the modern style of German romantic plays. He has built up a large and loyal following throughout the country, and by the high standard of his productions, the excellence of his plays and supporting casts, he deserves every particle of the success he has known. As a delineator of German dialect roles Mr. Wilson stands conspicuously pre-eminent, being a leader in this particular branch of his art, and upon the strength of his beautiful baritone voice he long ago won the sobriquet of " the golden-voiced singer," a most deserving and happily apropos title. Previous to entering the stellar ranks, Mr. Wilson had made a reputation for himself in a number of prominent musical farces, among a few of these being with Hallen and Hart as Carl Pretzel in " The Idea," as John Stofel in " Struck Oil," and as Professor Von Bilderbogen in " The Twentieth Century Girl," in each of which he was notably successful. He made his debut at the head of his own company the season of 1900-01, offering " The Watch on the Rhine," which he presented two years, and then came an equal length of time " A Prince of Tatters." The season of 1904-05, owing to popular request, Mr. Wilson revived " The Watch on the Rhine," and the next season he was seen in " The German Gypsy." Following this came two years in " Metz in the Alps " and, during 1908-09, he made the most pretentious production of his career, "When Old New York Was Dutch," in which he enjoyed great success. Mr. Wilson's stellar fame is not of the milk and water, made-over-night, variety; he has achieved his present enviable place by application and ambition, advancing steadily forward each season, and his fame and success are but the reward of merit, backed up by pluck and determination. Our ranks of stars would include even more names had we only more actors of Mr. Wilson's mental and artistic caliber. " From the Actors Birthday Book 1909
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$1 Answer
According to "Who's who in music and drama: an encyclopedia of biography of notable men", Al H. Wilson was born and raised in Buffalo, N.Y. His birthday was March 3rd, 1868 (a fact which is corroborated by his Library of Congress authority file).
So far, it looks like nobody is sure exactly when he died. I'm not sure if you are interested in his death, but I thought I'd warn you that that will be a much harder bit of information to find.
The "Who's who" book I consulted can be downloaded from Google Books, as it is in the public domain. You may find it useful.
So far, it looks like nobody is sure exactly when he died. I'm not sure if you are interested in his death, but I thought I'd warn you that that will be a much harder bit of information to find.
The "Who's who" book I consulted can be downloaded from Google Books, as it is in the public domain. You may find it useful.
source(s):
http://books.google.com/books?id=tpafAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA325&lpg#v=onepag...
http://authorities.loc.gov (just search his name--you'll find the record)
http://books.google.com/books?id=tpafAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA325&lpg#v=onepag...
http://authorities.loc.gov (just search his name--you'll find the record)
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
The RoadRunner concurs
Great! Buffalo. And that's the right guy all right. I'm not interested in his date of death per say, but it might help in finding his obituary. He must have had obituaries written which had more info about his family. But he could have died anywhere, if he lived long enough to retire somewhere. I'm really more interested in his sister, Lizzie Wilson, who was also an actress, singer, comedienne in vaudeville but she seems not to have been quite as famous. But now it seems a safe bet that she was from Buffalo too.