Donald Brian

Who was Donald Brian?

Donald Brian was an actor, dancer and singer born St. John's, Newfoundland, at the age of eighteen was crowned "King of Broadway" by the New York Times in 1907. Brian is noted for helping President Theodore Roosevelt act more relaxed in public and teaching Frank Sinatra to dance and entertain U.S. Troops in England with Bob Hope.

Brian, a tenor, was employed in a Boston machine shop and at the age of 16 began performing with a vocal quartette. When he joined a theatrical troupe in New York City his career had taken off. He had leading roles in more than 20 Broadway musicals. In 1915 Brian signed with film producer Jesse L. Lasky to do two films, The Voice in the Fog and The Smugglers. After the latter he would make no more film appearances until the sound era. His first sound film was an excerpt of his role in Peggy O'Hooligan, made in the DeForest Phonofilm sound-on-film process.

Selected Broadway musicals Brian had starred or had principal roles;

1899 - On the Wabash

1902 - Florodora

1904 - Little Johnny Jones by George M. Cohan

1906 - 45 Minutes From Broadway

1907 - The Merry Widow by Franz Lehár