Henry E. Dixey
Encyclopedia
Henry E. Dixey was an American actor and theatre producer. He was born January 6, 1859 in Boston, Massachusetts. He made his stage debut in Boston in 1868, joining the variety stock actors at the Howard Athenaeum
, where in 1869 he played the character Peanuts in the Augustin Daly
play Under the Gaslight. Dixey starred in many plays and musicals, including his best-known role as the lead character in popular burlesque musical Adonis
, which he played from 1883 to 1885, occasionally joining tours afterwards. He performed on stage and in a handful of films until 1926.
Dixey was one of a party of gentlemen entertained by Robert Emmet Odlum
, brother of women's rights activist Charlotte Odlum Smith
, on the morning of May 19, 1885, the day he jumped from the Brooklyn Bridge
and was killed. Dixey used his gold stopwatch to time Odlum's fatal jump at three and a half seconds.
Dixey died February 25, 1943 in Atlantic City, New Jersey
following a traffic accident.
Howard Athenaeum
The Howard Athenæum in Boston, Massachusetts, was one of the most famous theaters in Boston history. Founded in 1845, it remained an institution of culture and learning for most of its years, finally closing in 1953.- History :...
, where in 1869 he played the character Peanuts in the Augustin Daly
Augustin Daly
John Augustin Daly was an American theatrical manager and playwright active in both the US and UK.-Biography:Daly was born in Plymouth, North Carolina and educated at Norfolk, Va...
play Under the Gaslight. Dixey starred in many plays and musicals, including his best-known role as the lead character in popular burlesque musical Adonis
Adonis (musical)
Adonis ' is an 1884 burlesque musical produced by Edward E. Rice who also composed the music along with John Eller. The book was written by William Gill. The musical had a run of 603 shows during its original Broadway run, making it the longest-running show on Broadway during that period. It was...
, which he played from 1883 to 1885, occasionally joining tours afterwards. He performed on stage and in a handful of films until 1926.
Dixey was one of a party of gentlemen entertained by Robert Emmet Odlum
Robert Emmet Odlum
Robert Emmet Odlum was an American swimming instructor. He was the brother of women's rights activist Charlotte Odlum Smith. Odlum was the first person to jump off the Brooklyn Bridge, and was killed doing so.- Early life :...
, brother of women's rights activist Charlotte Odlum Smith
Charlotte odlum smith
Charlotte Odlum Smith was a reformer, magazine editor, champion of women inventors, and lobbyist for working women, public health, and safety in the nineteenth-century United States.-Birth and Early Life:...
, on the morning of May 19, 1885, the day he jumped from the Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States. Completed in 1883, it connects the New York City boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn by spanning the East River...
and was killed. Dixey used his gold stopwatch to time Odlum's fatal jump at three and a half seconds.
Dixey died February 25, 1943 in Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
following a traffic accident.