Tom Patricola

Tom Patricola
Tom Patricola & Ann Pennington do the Black Bottom as George White looks on (circa 1926)
Born
Tomasso Patricola

(1891-01-22)January 22, 1891
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
DiedJanuary 1, 1950(1950-01-01) (aged 58)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupations
  • Dancer
  • comedian
  • actor

Tomasso Patricola (January 22, 1891 – January 1, 1950) was an American actor, comic and dancer who starred in vaudeville and motion pictures.

Born in New Orleans, Patricola established his fame as a hoofer, becoming a leading interpreter of the Black Bottom dance. Besides excelling at eccentric dances, Patricola also sang and played the ukulele.[1] Marketing himself as a novelty act, Patricola was described as a "mop gone crazy" as he danced while simultaneously singing and playing the ukulele. He was also a noted clog dancer.[2]

  1. ^ S.D., Trav. "Stars of Vaudeville # 577: Tom Patricola". Travalanche. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  2. ^ Cullen, Frank; et al. (2006). Vaudeville, Old and New: An Encyclopedia of Variety Performers in America. Florence, KY: Routeledge. p. 870. ISBN 978-0415938532.