Nellie Breen Explained

Nellie Breen (April 3, 1897^{[1] [2]} – April 26, 1986)^[3] was an American comedian and dancer.^[4] In vaudeville, she appeared in a double act with Lester Allen.^[5] Her Broadway theater credits include: Everything (1918), The Passing Show of 1922 (1922), Ginger (1923, as the character Ruth Warewell), Mercenary Mary (1925, as the character Norah), Florida Girl (1925, as the character Betty), and The Desert Song (1926, as the character Susan).^[6] In 1922, she did the first tap dance on radio.^[7]

Breen was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts,^[1] to an Australian mother and Irish-American father who married in Victoria, Australia.^{[8] [9]} She died in Santa Clara County, California, aged 89.^[3]

Her sister, Margaret Breen, was also an actress.^[10]

Notes and References

1. Massachusetts, Birth Records, 1840-1915
2. 1900 United States Federal Census
3. California, Death Index, 1940-1997
4. Web site: Breen, Nellie (c. 1898–1986). https://web.archive.org/web/20181114092823/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G2-2588803246.html. dead. November 14, 2018. Dictionary of Women Worldwide: 25,000 Women Through the Ages. Anne Commire. Anne Commire. January 1, 2007.
5. Laurie, Joe, Jr. Vaudeville: From the Honky-tonks to the Palace. New York: Henry Holt, 1953. p. 230, 489.
6. Web site: Nellie Breen Theatre Credits. broadwayworld.com.
7. Book: Ruth Benjamin. Arthur Rosenblatt. Who Sang what on Broadway, 1866-1996: The singers (A-K). 84. 2006. McFarland & Company, Publishers. 978-0-7864-2189-3.
8. Australia, Marriage Index, 1788-1950
9. 1930 United States Federal Census
10. News: 1937-09-04 . Hamburgers Have Girl . 2 . The Wichita Beacon . 2023-05-26.