Atlantic City Entertainers - The Early Years
During Atlantic City's golden years, all through 1920s and into the 1950s, the city was a showcase for singers, musicians, comedians and everyone in the theatrical world. Anyone who was "anyone" played Atlantic City.
Examples of entertainers that regularly performed in Atlantic City during those nostalgic by-gone years are shown below.
Scroll down to see all the images.
W.C. Fields
W. C. Fields - Juggler, Comedian and Actor got his start in Atlantic City.
Jane Wyman
Actress Jane Wyman made frequent appearances in Atlantic City.
John Philip Sousa
John Philip Sousa was a composer and conductor best known for American military and patriotic marches.
Guy Lombardo
Guy Lombardo's band, The Royal Canadians, claimed to create "The Sweetest Music This Side of Heaven."
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe was the grand marshal of the Miss America Pageant parade in 1952.
Red Skelton
Red Skelton got his start in Atlantic City.
Barbara Stanwyk
In 1926, Barbara Stanwyck was a showgirl at the Cafe' Beau Arts in Atlantic City, when her name was still Ruby Stevens.
Rudy Vallee
Rudy Vallee and his Connecticut Yankees Band played on Steel Pier.
Bing Crosby
Bing Crosby sang with Rudy Vallee and his Connecticut Yankees on Steel Pier in 1932.
Bob Hope
When Bob Hope performed in Atlantic City, he often played golf at the Atlantic City Country Club.
Harry Houdini
Harry Houdini performed his daring escape acts at Garden Pier.
Fanny Brice
Fanny Brice was one of the most famous Ziegfeld Girls.
Count Basie
Bandleader and jazz pianist Count Basie played at the Atlantic City Clubs, and also Steel Pier.
Mae West
Mae West wrote baudy and sexy plays, many of which were first tried out in Atlantic City.
Kate Smith
Kate Smith may be best known for singing God Bless America at Flyers games, however in her earlier days she was a star performer on Steel Pier.
Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra often performed at the 500 Club in Atlantic City.
Jimmy Dorsey
Tommy Dorsey - trombonist, trumpeter and bandleader of the Big Band era.
Dean Martin
The Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis comedy team got its start at the 500 Club.
Jayne Mansfield
Jayne Mansfield acted in the movie "The Burglar" that was set in Atlantic City.
The lady staring at Jayne Mansfield's nipples is Sophia Loren.
Oliver Hardy
Oliver Hardy was marshal of the 1941 Variety Parade on the Atlantic City boardwalk.
Abbott and Costello
Abbott and Costello were one of the most popular acts on Steel Pier.
Peggy Lee
Peggy Lee was very popular in Atlantic City, and appeared there often.
Sammy Davis Jr.
Sammy Davis Jr. often played at the 500 Club. His mother tended bar at the nearby Graces' Little Belmont.
Al Jolson
Al Jolson was a lifeguard on the Atlantic City beach during the 1920s.
The Three Stooges
The Three Stooges, Moe, Larry and Curley made numerous appearances on Steel Pier, beginning in 1936.
Mickey Rooney
Mickey Rooney often played at the 500 club.
Ziegfeld Follies
The Ziegfeld Follies started out in Atlantic City in 1906, but later moved to Broadway. The Ziegfeld Follies featured some of the most beautiful chorus girls in the world, all elaborately costumed.
Sophie Tucker
Sophie Tucker, who was known as "The Last of the Red Hot Mamas" was one of the star performers at the 500 club .
Nat King Cole
Nat King Cole often played his Jazz Piano, and sung his soft ballads, at the Atlantic City clubs.
Jack Dempsey
Jack Dempsey trained for many of his fights in Atlantic City.