Digby Bell
Digby Bell (born Digby Valentine Bell; November 8, 1849 – June 20, 1917) was a popular vaudeville entertainer and Broadway performer at the beginning of the 20th century. Early life. Bell was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on November 8, 1849. Performing career. Bell studied in Europe to become a concert singer, and became famous for his roles in comic musical productions, such as Gilbert and Sullivan comic operas and with the McCaull Comic Opera Company. His first starring role was in the musical "Jupiter" in 1892. He appeared many times with Lillian Russell in shows such as "Princess Nicotine , The Queen of Brilliants" and "The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein". He introduced the song '"The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo". Bell gave a concert at Chickering Hall in New York City on April 26, 1878, that was favorably reviewed by the "New York Times". Much of Bell's later career was in nonmusical plays or vaudeville. Notable stage appearances. Broadway appearances Partial discography. 1909 Personal life. Bell was married at least twice. His first wife, Lillian Brooks, divorced him in March 1883. He married his second wife, Laura Joyce Bell (née Hannah Joyce Maskell), a day or  so after his divorce from Brooks was finalized. Laura Joyce Bell died in New York in 1904. Bell was a fervent golfer and New York Giants baseball fan, as was his best friend and frequent co-star DeWolf Hopper. Death. Bell died on June 20, 1917, in New York City. He is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx, New York.