Billy Gould
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Born Name:
William J. Flannery
Born Date: May 1, 1869
Born Place: New York City
Died Date: February 1, 1950
Died Place: New York City
Occupations: Vaudeville comedian, singer, stage performer
Brief Biography: Billy Gould was active from the late 19th to early 20th century. Known for his work in minstrel shows and musical comedies, he famously formed a popular "flirtation act" with his wife, Nellie Burt, and later toured with Valeska Surratt.
Early Life and Career:
Debut: Made his stage debut in 1884 at age 15 with Billy Emerson's Minstrels in San Francisco.
Vaudeville & Comedy: Known for "English character songs" and comedic roles, performing with figures like Fay Templeton and in productions like The Belle of New York (1897).
Partnerships and Personal Life:
Nellie Burt: Married in 1889; they developed a successful vaudeville act featuring humorous, flirtatious dialogue.
Valeska Surratt: Married in 1904 (divorced 1911) after Gould "discovered" her as a replacement in his act. They became a major partnership act, performing in the US, England, and South Africa.
Born Date: May 1, 1869
Born Place: New York City
Died Date: February 1, 1950
Died Place: New York City
Occupations: Vaudeville comedian, singer, stage performer
Brief Biography: Billy Gould was active from the late 19th to early 20th century. Known for his work in minstrel shows and musical comedies, he famously formed a popular "flirtation act" with his wife, Nellie Burt, and later toured with Valeska Surratt.
Early Life and Career:
Debut: Made his stage debut in 1884 at age 15 with Billy Emerson's Minstrels in San Francisco.
Vaudeville & Comedy: Known for "English character songs" and comedic roles, performing with figures like Fay Templeton and in productions like The Belle of New York (1897).
Partnerships and Personal Life:
Nellie Burt: Married in 1889; they developed a successful vaudeville act featuring humorous, flirtatious dialogue.
Valeska Surratt: Married in 1904 (divorced 1911) after Gould "discovered" her as a replacement in his act. They became a major partnership act, performing in the US, England, and South Africa.