Vaudeville wasn’t just an organized mashup of stage performers in the late 19th and early 20th century. Of course, it was the preeminent form of live entertainment during this period. But it also became a sort of undergraduate school for actors, comedians, musicians, and others who—following the demise of vaudeville—became film stars, radio personalities, and recording artists.
Should you be asked to identify some celebrities who began their careers in vaudeville, perhaps you could name a few. However, the sheer number on the list below might surprise you.
