Fred Allen

b. John Florence Sullivan, 31 May 1894, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, d. 17 March 1956, New York, USA. A comedian, actor and singer, with a dry, gravelly voice, baggy eyes, and deadpan expression, all of which made him ideal for the kind of topical monologues that became his speciality. After studying at Boston University, he headlined in vaudeville before making his Broadway debut in the revue The Passing Show (1922). This was followed by Vogues Of 1924, and a good role as the wise-cracking reporter Addie Stiles in the musical comedy Polly (1929), which folded after two week...