Chauncey Olcott (1858-1932), born John Chancellor Ollcott, was an actor, singer, and songwriter. His career started in minstrel shows, which was followed by studying singing in London in the 1880s. He also acted in Broadway shows (Barry of Ballymore, Isle of Dreams, and Masushla). He is best remembered for his collaborations with Earnest Ball and George Graff, producing several popular songs. The best known songs include “My Irish Rose,” and “When Irish Eyes are Smiling.” He retired in 1925. He moved to Monte Carlo, where he died in 1932. In 1947, Warner Brothers released a film, My Wild Irish Rose, based on Olcott’s biography. He was married twice. His spouses were Cora Estell Henderson and Margaret O'Dovovan. He was inducted into the Sonwriters Hall of Fame in 1970.
Rights: Reproduction and publication of materials in this collection are subject to the policies of the UNT Special Collections department. Copyright restrictions may apply.
Access Notes: This collection is stored off-site and requires a minimum of 24 hour notice prior to use.
Scope and Contents: The scrapbook begins in 1910. It is unclear how far into Mr. Olcott's career it goes, as the remainder of the contents are undated. The contents document some of the work Chauncey Olcott did in the theater. The photographs show him in costume and the clippings give information on the plays he appeared in. Several of the clippings list the songs he sang in each production. Olcott, a songwriter, often created his own songs.
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