Olcott, Chauncey

(1860?-1932)

   The "Irish" singing comedian was born Chancellor John Olcott in Buffalo, New York. He began his career as a light opera singer, making his New York debut at the Union Square Theatre in 1886. When the leading stage Irishman William J. Scanlan retired in 1891, Olcott stepped into the position. A rich voice and engaging presence compensated for unremarkable acting ability. According to critic Austin Latchaw (Kansas City Star, 30 April 1935): "He was tall, well built and handsome, and his voice was particularly well suited in quality and serviceability to the music allotted to him." Rida Johnson Young, Rachel Crothers, and others wrote vehicles for him, including A Romance of Athlone (1899), Barry of Ballymore (1911), Macushla (1912), Shameen Dhu (1914), The Heart of Paddy Whack (1914), and Once Upon a Time (1918).

   See also ethnicity in American drama.