Henry Vogel (June 15, 1863 – June 17, 1925) was an American actor and bass-baritone singer who originated several roles on the Broadway stage during the first two decades of the Twentieth Century.
Early life Henry Vogel was born Heinrich Vogelhut in Mindszent, Hungary.Birth register of the town of Hunfalu, p. 158b, record number 4 Ignoring his parents' wishes that he enter the clergy, he left Hungary for America in 1882.The Pittsburgh Press, March 5, 1916, Theatrical Section, p. 2
Career After his arrival in America, he obtained US citizenship and attended the Balatka Academy of Musical Art, founded by Hans Balatka in Chicago during the late 1880s. There (as Henry Vogelhuth), he performed in several of its productionsChicago Tribune, June 8, 1888, p. 5, as part of a column titled, The Theatres; referred to as Henry Vogelhuth.Chicago Daily Tribune, June 8, 1888, pp. 5 and 8The Inter Ocean, March 23, 1888, p. 4 before moving to New York City.Variety, "Correspondence," May 4, 1917, p 34 In 1890 (as Henry Vogel) he appeared in an English-language version of Jacques Offenbach's The Brigands starring Lillian Russell,McVicker’s Theatre program, November 4, 1889 image from Chicago Public Library and in 1903, he landed a role in the Broadway production of Nancy Brown.Internet Broadway Database Nancy at Brown IBDBDetroit Free Press, 1/17/1904, p. C7 Other productions followed, including Paris by Night (1904),The Billboard, July 16, 1904, p. 5 Miss Dolly Dollars (1905),A Theatrical Life: Victor Herbert, by Neil Gould, 2008 and Victor Herbert’s The Wizard of the Nile (1908).The Washington Post, May 5, 1908, p. 5
It was announced in the press in 1907 that Byron Ongley (co-author of Brewster’s Millions) had written a vaudeville skit for him, Vogel, the Boy Detective, and His Shadow, Nearly – the shadow to be played by a midget.Variety, August 1907New York Dramatic Mirror, August 24, 1907
Back on the Broadway stage in 1909, he played Herr Pappelmeister to Walker Whiteside’s David Quixano in the original 1909 production of Israel Zangwill’s play, The Melting Pot.Internet Broadway Database The Melting Pot at IBDB His turn as Pappelmeister received acclaim, and the production itself was favorably reviewed by then US president Theodore Roosevelt.Joe Kraus. "How the Melting Pot Stirred America: The Reception of Zangwill's Play and Theater's Role in the American Assimilation Experience", MELUS, Vol. 24, No. 3, Varieties of Ethnic Criticism (Autumn, 1999), pp. 3–19
Vogel went on to prominent roles in several other Broadway plays and operettas, including The Firefly (1912),Internet Broadway Database The Firefly at IBDB Marie-Odile (1915),The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, January 27, 1915, p. 9 and Arms and the Girl (1916).Arms and the Girl at the Internet Broadway Database Health issues caused him to move to California to pursue work in films, including The Spanish Dancer (1923) as Olivares, but continued ill health forced his retirement and return to New York.Variety, June 24, 1925, p. 89
Family Henry Vogel was the son of David Vogelhut and Eleanora "Leni" Vogelhut (née Propper) and was Jewish.The Jewish Chronicle, November 27, 1908
Death Henry Vogel died in New York City two days after his 62nd birthday, following a heart attack.Broadway World Henry Vogel entry at Broadway World
Selected plays Nancy Brown (1903), Henry Vogel as Baron SauerbratenInternet Broadway Database, Henry Vogel Miss Dolly Dollars (1905) as Lieutenant von Richter The Wizard of the Nile (1908) as King PtolemyThe Baltimore Sun, April 28, 1908, p 9 Dolly Varden (Previous to May 1908, Bijou, New Brunswick, N.J)The Washington Times, May 10, 1908, p. 2 The Melting Pot (1909) as Herr Pappelmeister The Little Damozel (1910) Paris By Night as Orlof Sleuthski (1904–05) The Girl and the Governor (Circa 1907/08) The Firefly (1912) as Herr Franz Marie-Odile as Sergeant Otto Beck (1915) Arms and the Girl (originally titled A Delicate Situation)(1916) as General Klaus Princess Tra-La-La (1916) Some Daddy (1918)The New York Clipper, January 16, 1918 Image from University of Illinois digital library
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