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May Irwin
American comedian
Quick Facts
- Original name:
- Ada Campbell
- Born:
- June 27, 1862, Whitby, Canada West [now Ontario, Can.]
- Died:
- Oct. 22, 1938, New York, N.Y., U.S. (aged 76)
May Irwin (born June 27, 1862, Whitby, Canada West [now Ontario, Can.]—died Oct. 22, 1938, New York, N.Y., U.S.) was a Canadian-born American comedian and music-hall performer who popularized such songs as “After the Ball” and “A Hot Time in the Old Town.” Ada Campbell was introduced to the theatrical world in 1875, after her father’s death had left the family in poverty. Her mother got her and her elder sister Georgia an engagement in a Rochester, New York, variety theatre. In December 1875 they made their first professional appearance at the Adelphi Theatre in Buffalo, where they were billed ...(100 of 423 words)