DAN

See also:

• DAN LENO

LENO  , the stage-name of George Galvin (1861-1904), English comedian, who was born at Somers Town, London, in February 1861 . His parents were actors, known as Mr and Mrs Johnny Wilde . Dan Leno was trained to be an acrobat, but soon became a dancer, travelling with his brother as " the brothers Leno," and winning the world's championship in clog-dancing at Leeds in 1880 . Shortly afterwards he appeared in London at the Oxford, and in 1886-'887 at the Surrey Theatre . In 1888-1889 he was engaged by Sir Augustus Harris to play the Baroness in the Babes in the Wood, and from that time he was a principal figure in the Drury Lane pantomimes . He was the wittiest and most popular comedian of his day, and delighted London music-hall audiences by his shop-walker, stores-proprietor, waiter, doctor, beef-eater, bathing attendant, " Mrs Kelly," and other impersonations . In 1900 he engaged to give his entire services to the Pavilion Music Hall, where he received £10o per week . In November root he was summoned to Sandringham to do a " turn " before the king, and was proud from that time to call himself the " king's jester." Dan Leno's generosity endeared him to his profession, and he was the object of much sympathy during the brain failure which recurred during the last eighteen months of his life . He died on the 31st of October 1904 .