Famous 20th Century Entertainers

Bob Barker is a retired TV game show host. Barker is credited with making CBS's The Price Is Right the longest-running daytime game show in the history of North American television, hosting the show from 1972 to 2007. Also an animal rights activist, Barker has supported groups like the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and the United Activists for Animal Rights.

Evel Knievel was an entertainer and stunt performer. He attempted more than 75 ramp-to-ramp motorcycle jumps in his career, a feat that gained him much popularity. In 1999, he was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame. He was known to be a man of values and actively preached anti-drug messages to youngsters. He also campaigned for motorcycle helmet safety. 

Gypsy Rose Lee was an American vedette and burlesque entertainer best remembered for her striptease act. She was also an actress, playwright, and author whose memoir inspired the 1959 stage musical, Gypsy. Lee's life inspired several works of art, including a song titled Gypsy Rose Lee by The Distillers. She also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Adrian Joseph Cronauer, a United States Air Force Radio and Television Broadcasting Specialist, posted in Vietnam during 1965-1966, opened his show, the Dawn Buster, with "Goooooood morning Vietnam!", an experience that later inspired the 1987 film, Good Morning, Vietnam. In later years, he practiced law, specializing in information and communications law, concurrently continuing to remain involved with radio and television.

Arthur Godfrey was an American entertainer and television and radio broadcaster. In the early and mid-1950s, Godfrey was seen on television and heard on the radio up to six days a week. His career inspired two films, namely The Great Man and A Face in the Crowd. Arthur Godfrey was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 1987.

Frank Lentini was a Sicilian-American sideshow performer who was featured in several circuses including the famous Barnum and Bailey circus. Lentini gained popularity as he was born with a parasitic twin, which resulted in a third leg. In a career spanning more than four decades Lentini worked with every major circus in the US.

Wavy Gravy is an American peace activist and entertainer best known for his countercultural beliefs and hippie persona. He is credited with founding or co-founding many organizations, such as the Hog Farm, Seva Foundation, and Camp Winnarainbow. During the 1960s, he founded a secret society called the Phurst Church of Phun which aimed at opposing the Vietnam War.

Born Dolores L. DeFina, she became Dolores Hope after her marriage to actor and comedian, Bob Hope.  A fine singer and a woman of words, she entertained American overseas soldiers for fifty years, recording her first CD, Dolores Hope: Now and Then, at the age of eighty-three. e.

Rick Dees is an American comedian, entertainer, radio personality, voice artist, and actor. He is credited with co-founding Fine Living which was later renamed Cooking Channel. He is also credited with creating an internationally syndicated radio program named Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 Countdown. He has been inducted into the Broadcast Hall of Fame.

Earl Nightingale was an American author and radio speaker best remembered for his motivational speeches. His book The Strangest Secret is regarded as one of the best motivational books of all time. During his career, Nightingale received prestigious awards, such as the Golden Gavel Award. In 1985, he was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame. 

Hank the Angry Drunken Dwarf was an American entertainer who achieved popularity by appearing on The Howard Stern Show as part of the show's Wack Pack. He gained national attention in 1998 when he won an online poll conducted by People magazine to determine the Most Beautiful People as part of the run-up promotion for People's 50 Most Beautiful People issue.

Louise Mandrell is an American singer who achieved popularity during the 1970s and 1980s by recording a string of country songs, such as Put It On Me and I Thought You'd Never Ask. She is also renowned for her comedy skills as well as her ability to play multiple instruments.

Peter Allen was an Australian musician, singer-songwriter, and entertainer. Best remembered for his flamboyant stage persona, Allen also enjoyed a concert and cabaret career. His life and career inspired a jukebox musical titled, The Boy from Oz ,which ran on Broadway. In 1993, Peter Allen was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.

The first active female majority owner of any NFL franchise, Georgia Frontiere faced immense harassment for trying to enter what was until then a male's bastion. Holder of 70% ownership stake in the Los Angeles Rams, later renamed as St. Louis Rams, she eventually succeeded in establishing herself as a successful franchise owner, concurrently devoting herself to different philanthropic causes.

Known as Two Ton Tessie for her plus-size built, Tessie O'Shea was a Welsh entertainer who had begun performing at age 6. Known for her signature hats and striped stockings, she later soared to fame singing bawdy tracks. She also won a Tony Award for The Girl Who Came to Supper.

Ellen Kessler is one-half of the popular Kessler Twins. Ellen and her twin sister Alice Kessler are among the well-known twin entertainers in Europe. After achieving popularity as dancers and actors, the Kessler Twins appeared on the cover of one of the editions of Playboy, at the age of 40. That edition became the fastest-selling Playboy in Italy.

Jilly Rizzo was an American entertainer and restaurateur. He is credited with establishing a lounge named Jilly's Saloon which was a famous celebrity hangout during the 1960s. Many celebrities including Frank Sinatra frequented Jilly's Saloon. As a result, Jilly Rizzo became friends with Frank Sinatra and went on to become one of Sinatra's chief aides.

Born in Paris, France, the Swedish Israeli singer Jean-Pierre Barda became known as one of the founding members of the Swedish dance pop group Army of Lovers. As part of the group, he gave several hit numbers like Crucified and Israelism (lead singer). He is also a hair-dresser and make-up artist and has appeared in several films and television shows.

Daniel Decatur Emmett was an American entertainer and songwriter best remembered for composing the popular song, Dixie. Daniel Decatur Emmett is credited with founding the famous 19th-century group of entertainers called the Virginia Minstrels. The group helped invent an entertainment form that came to be known as the minstrel show. His life and career inspired a biographical film titled Dixie.

Clyde Beatty was an American circus mogul, zoo owner, and animal trainer. After beginning his career as a cage boy in Howe's Great London Circus, Beatty went on to become one of the most famous animal trainers and circus performers in the world. He also established or owned many circuses including the popular Clyde Beatty Circus.

Lotta Crabtree was an entertainer, actress, and comedian who became one of the most beloved and wealthiest American entertainers during the late-19th century. She was also a well-known philanthropist; she left an estate worth $4 million for a charitable trust as part of her will. Dubbed The Nation's Darling, Lotta Crabtree's life and career inspired the 1951 film Golden Girl. 

Jennifer Miller is an American writer, circus entertainer, and professor at Pratt Institute. In an illustrious career as a circus entertainer, which has spanned more than two decades, Miller has performed predominantly as a fire eater and juggler. She is credited with founding the popular political performance troupe, Circus Amok. Her life and career inspired Tami Gold's documentary Juggling Gender.

Elisabeth Welch was an American actress, singer, and entertainer who came up with popular songs like Far Away in Shanty Town, Love for Sale, and Stormy Weather during an illustrious career spanning more than 70 years. In February 2012, she was posthumously honored by Bonnie Greer who unveiled a blue plaque at Ovington Court where Welch lived during the mid-30s.