ELTINGE, JULIAN

original name William Dalton born May 14, 1883, Newtonville, Mass., U.S. died March 7, 1941, New York, N.Y. 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 also starred in several silent motion pictures.