Jess Dandy

Jess Dandy, born Jesse A. Danzig on December 7, 1871, in Rochester, New York, was an American actor whose career spanned vaudeville, Broadway, and silent film. His father, Abraham Danzig, had immigrated from Germany, and his mother, Jennie Stern, was American-born. Dandy died on April 15, 1923, in Brookline, Massachusetts, following an operation for a carbuncle that resulted in sepsis. He was given a Masonic funeral.

Dandy made his first stage appearance at age 26 at the American Roof Garden, a vaudeville venue, before advancing to a leading role at Keith's Union Square Theatre. In 1903 he opened in The Prince of Pilsen, a production he performed across the country, building the role around a pronounced German accent. He was known for his facility with dialects and frequently portrayed Jewish, Dutch, and German characters. After undergoing several operations for vocal problems, he returned to the stage in two productions, Marcelle and Dick Whittington.

His Broadway career extended from 1906 to 1921 and included appearances in The Never Homes, The Prince of Pilsen, and the play Just Married, among other productions. He also starred in Marcelle during this period.

Following his Broadway work, Dandy moved to Hollywood, where he worked at Keystone Studios in 1914. That year he appeared in nine comedy shorts featuring Charlie Chaplin, among them His Favourite Pastime, The Star Boarder, The Property Man, The Face on the Bar Room Floor, The Rounders, The Masquerader, Dough and Dynamite, His New Profession, and The New Janitor, in which he played a bank president.