American actor and vaudeville entertainer
Digby Bell (born Digby Valentine Bell ; November 8, 1849 – June 20, 1917) was a popular vaudeville entertainer and Broadway performer at the beginning of the 20th century.
Early life Bell was born in Milwaukee , Wisconsin on November 8, 1849.[1]
Performing career Bell featured on cabinet card , c. 1885 Bell studied in Europe to become a concert singer, and became famous for his roles in comic musical productions, such as Gilbert and Sullivan comic operas and with the McCaull Comic Opera Company . His first starring role was in the musical Jupiter in 1892. He appeared many times with Lillian Russell in shows such as Princess Nicotine , The Queen of Brilliants and The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein . He introduced the song '"The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo ".
Bell gave a concert at Chickering Hall in New York City on April 26, 1878, that was favorably reviewed by the New York Times .[2]
Much of Bell's later career was in nonmusical plays or vaudeville.
Notable stage appearances Broadway appearances [3]
The Begum , Sep 21, 1887 - Dec 10, 1887, role - Myhnt-JhuleepThe Hoosier Doctor , Apr 18, 1898 - [unknown], role - Dr. WillowMr. Pickwick , Jan 19, 1903 - May 1903, role - Sam Weller The Education of Mr. Pipp , Feb 20, 1905 - Apr 1905, role - J. Wesley PippAn International Marriage , Jan 4, 1909 - Jan 1909The Debtors , Oct 12, 1909 - Oct 1909, role - William DorrittThe Yeomen of the Guard , Apr 19, 1915 - May 8, 1915, role - ChorusThe Sorcerer , May 24, 1915 - Jun 5, 1915, role - Dr. DalyFilm appearances Partial discography 1909[4]
The Tough Boy on the Right Field Fence The Blind Boy in the Gallery The Man Who Fanned Casey (A reply to 'Casey at the Bat'.) Experiences of a Commuter Day and Knight A Discontented Egg Personal life Bell playing golf in Siasconset, Massachusetts , c. 1911 Bell was married at least twice. His first wife, Lillian Brooks, divorced him in March 1883. He married his second wife, Laura Joyce Bell (née Hannah Joyce Maskell), a day or so after his divorce from Brooks was finalized. Laura Joyce Bell died in New York in 1904.[1] [5] [6]
Bell was a fervent golfer and New York Giants baseball fan, as was his best friend and frequent co-star DeWolf Hopper .[1]
Death Bell died on June 20, 1917, in New York City.
Filmography References ^ a b c "Digby Bell". IMDb . Retrieved 4 October 2019 . ^ "Amusements. Mr. Digby Bell's concert" (PDF) . The New York Times . 27 April 1878. ^ "Digby Bell – Broadway Cast & Staff". Internet Broadway Database . Retrieved 4 October 2019 . ^ "Digby Bell". Discography of American Historical Recordings . Retrieved 4 October 2019 . ^ ^ Digby V. Bell again Married. The New York Times,’’ March 19, 1883, p. 14 ^ "Answers - The Most Trusted Place for Answering Life's Questions". Answers.com . Retrieved 4 October 2019 . External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Digby Bell .
Digby Bell at IMDb Digby Bell in a recording of The Blind Boy in the gallery 1909 'The Bright Stars of Yesterday-Digby Bell'