William Gaxton

William Gaxton
from the trailer for
Best Foot Forward (1943)
Born
Arthur Anthony Gaxiola

(1893-12-02)December 2, 1893
San Francisco, California, U.S.
DiedFebruary 2, 1963(1963-02-02) (aged 69)
New York City, U.S.
EducationSanta Clara College,
University of California, Berkeley
OccupationActor
Years active1926–1962
Spouse
Madeline Seitz
​
(m. 1919)​
RelativesLeo Carrillo (cousin)

William Gaxton (né Arthur Anthony Gaxiola; December 2, 1893 – February 2, 1963) was an American actor of vaudeville, film, and theatre.[1] For many years Gaxton was president of The Lambs Club, a theatrical organization in New York City. He and Victor Moore became a popular theatre duo in the 1930s and 1940s; they also appeared in a film together.[2]

Biography

Gaxton was born as Arthur Anthony Gaxiola,[3] on December 2, 1893, in San Francisco, California. He was Californio of Spanish ancestry, and a cousin of actor Leo Carrillo. He attended the Boone's Military Academy (or Boone's University School for Boys),[4] and Berkeley High School, in Berkeley, California; and Lowell High School in San Francisco.[5][6]

Gaxton attended Santa Clara College, with classmate Edmund Lowe;[7] and the University of California, Berkeley.[6] He was in the Sigma Phi fraternity at UC Berkeley.[6]

Career

Constance Carpenter and Gaxton, principals of the Broadway production of A Connecticut Yankee, at the Vanderbilt Theatre during a mid-run rehearsal of the hit musical (1928). Producer Lew Fields is seen at right, in shirtsleeves.
Constance Carpenter and Gaxton, principals of the Broadway production of A Connecticut Yankee, at the Vanderbilt Theatre during a mid-run rehearsal of the hit musical (1928). Producer Lew Fields is seen at right, in shirtsleeves.

Gaxton appeared on film and onstage. He debuted on Broadway in the Music Box Revue on October 23, 1922.[1]

Gaxton was president of The Lambs Club, a theatrical organization in New York City, from 1936 to 1939, 1952 to 1953, and 1957 to 1961.[1]

On radio Gaxton starred in Broadway Showtime, a 30-minute musical drama that ran on CBS from December 27, 1943, to June 26, 1944.[8]

In 1961 and 1962, he and Arthur Treacher starred in Guy Lombardo's production of the musical Paradise Island at Jones Beach Marine Theater.[9][10]

He died from cancer on February 2, 1963, in Manhattan.[1] He was survived by his wife, Madeline Cameron Seitz, who was part of The Cameron Sisters dance team.[3][6][11]

Filmography

Gaxton starred in the film version of Fifty Million Frenchmen (1931), as well as The Silent Partner (1931), Their Big Moment (1934), Best Foot Forward (1943), The Heat's On (1943), and Diamond Horseshoe (1945).

Broadway

He debuted on Broadway in the Music Box Revue on October 23, 1922, and later starred in Rodgers and Hart's A Connecticut Yankee (1927), singing "Thou Swell"; Cole Porter's Fifty Million Frenchmen (1929), singing "You Do Something to Me"; Of Thee I Sing (1931) with Victor Moore; Cole Porter's Anything Goes (1934), with Ethel Merman and Victor Moore; White Horse Inn (1936); Leave It to Me! (1938) with Victor Moore; Louisiana Purchase (1940); and Hollywood Pinafore (1945).

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Gaxton Dies At 69; Star On Broadway". New York Times. February 4, 1963. Retrieved 2015-03-02. William Gaxton, star of many Broadway musical comedies, died of cancer on Saturday in St. Vincent's Hospital. He was 73 years old and lived in Stamford, Conn. His best-remembered role was as President John P. Wintergreen in the musical, "Of Thee I Sing."
  2. ^ Hischak, Thomas S. (2004). Through the Screen Door: What Happened to the Broadway Musical When it Went to Hollywood. Scarecrow Press. p. 64. ISBN 9780810850187.
  3. ^ a b Marriage certificate of Arthur Anthony Gaxiola and Madeline Seitz. Oct. 1919, Certificate No. 0002837. https://a860-historicalvitalrecords.nyc.gov/view/8686933
  4. ^ Who Was Who in the Theatre: 1912-1976 (Vol. 2, D-H ed.). Detroit, Michigan: Gale Research Co. 1978. p. 915. ISBN 0-8103-0406-6. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  5. ^ Westen, Herb (February 3, 1922). "Graduate of Lowell High Is Orpheum Headliner". San Francisco Call. No. 25. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  6. ^ a b c d Soane, Wood (August 24, 1947). "Interview With Gaxton Stirs Critic's Memory of Bay Area's Good Ol' Days". Oakland Tribune. pp. 4C. Retrieved March 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Santa Clara College Boys At the Victory". San Jose Mercury and Herald. No. 40. February 9, 1913. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  8. ^ Dunning, John (1998). On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio (Revised ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. pp. 121–122. ISBN 978-0-19-507678-3. Retrieved 2019-10-02.
  9. ^ "Theater: Straw Hat Shows – Marine Theater, Jones Beach, LI". Life. June 16, 1961. p. 23.
  10. ^ Jones Beach Lifeguard Corps. "Forum pages". JBLC.net.
  11. ^ "William Gaxton, Broadway Star, Rites Tomorrow". Santa Cruz Sentinel. February 5, 1963. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
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