Billy Hagan (burlesque)

Billy Hagan (1889–1986) was a burlesque comedian whose catchphrase was "cheese and crackers". The phrase came from his religious German immigrant father, who used it as a substitute for blasphemy.[1] When Hagan died, Milton Berle called him "one of the funniest men on the burlesque circuit. I learned a lot of my expertise from him."[2] According to Ralph G. Allen, one of Hagan's most famous sketches was "Meet Me Around the Corner," which he performed on the Mutual wheel.[2]

Billy Hagan
pictured in Cavalcade of Burlesque (1951)
Born
William Hagedorn

(1889-01-29)January 29, 1889
San Francisco
DiedJune 10, 1986(1986-06-10) (aged 97)
Other namesCheese and Crackers
Occupation(s)Boxer, burlesque comedian
Spouse
Anne Toebe
​
(m. 1914)​

Born William Hagedorn in San Francisco, Hagan boxed and was the amateur lightweight champion of California before breaking into show business in 1907. Hagan met his future wife, Anne Toebe (1894-1968), in 1910 when she auditioned as a chorus girl. They married in 1914 and toured together until 1931, when she left show business to raise their son. Toebe regularly performed in a boxing skit with Hagan and was also an early stripteaser.[2] Hagan spent 62 years in show business and often performed at the Trocadero Theatre in Philadelphia.[3]

References
  1. Variety. Obituaries. June 18, 1986
  2. Rochester Democrat and Chronicle; June 12, 1986
  3. "Billy "Cheese and Crackers" Hagan", Vaudeville Old & New: an encyclopedia of variety performances in America, vol. 1, Psychology Press, 2007, pp. 469–470, ISBN 9780415938532


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