Ole Olsen
Actor
About Ole Olsen
John Sigvard 'Ole' Olsen was a prominent American comedian and vaudevillian who achieved legendary status as one half of the comedy duo Olsen and Johnson. Born in Peru, Indiana, to a Norwegian immigrant father, Olsen graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in music before embarking on a career in entertainment. In 1914, he met Harold 'Chic' Johnson while performing in a musical quartet, and the two quickly formed a partnership that would last nearly half a century. Their unique brand of 'nut comedy'—characterized by explosive gags, audience participation, and deliberate chaos—made them stars of the vaudeville circuit and eventually Broadway. Olsen's screen career began in the early talkie era with films like 'Oh, Sailor, Behave!' (1930), though the duo's anarchic style was often stifled by early studio conventions. They reached their cinematic peak with the 1941 film adaptation of their Broadway smash 'Hellzapoppin'', which broke the fourth wall and remains a cult classic of surrealist comedy. Throughout his life, Olsen remained a tireless performer, transitioning into radio and early television while maintaining a reputation for high-energy, unpredictable showmanship.
The Craft
On Screen
Olsen was known for a high-energy, 'anarchic' style of comedy that frequently broke the fourth wall. Unlike traditional comedy teams with a 'straight man,' both Olsen and Johnson played the comic, engaging in rapid-fire gags, physical slapstick, and constant interaction with the audience. His performances were marked by a jovial, laughing demeanor even amidst the scripted chaos of explosions and falling props.
Milestones
- Formed the legendary comedy duo Olsen and Johnson in 1914
- Made motion picture debut in 'Oh, Sailor, Behave!' (1930)
- Created the record-breaking Broadway revue 'Hellzapoppin' in 1938
- Starring in the 1941 film adaptation of 'Hellzapoppin'', a landmark in meta-comedy
- Headlined the 'All Star Revue' on television in the early 1950s
- Co-wrote the lyrics to the famous military song 'You're in the Army Now'
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Accolades
Won
- Donaldson Award for Best Musical (for 'Laffing Room Only', 1945)
Nominated
- Nominated for various theater industry accolades during the long run of 'Hellzapoppin'
Special Recognition
- Ole Olsen Memorial Theatre founded in his honor in Peru, Indiana (1964)
- Inducted into the International Clown Hall of Fame (Posthumous)
- Commemorated with a dedicated headstone featuring his famous life motto
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Ole Olsen, along with Chic Johnson, revolutionized the variety format by introducing 'Hellzapoppin'', a show that famously began in the lobby and ended in the aisles, destroying the barrier between performer and spectator. Their influence is seen in the DNA of modern sketch comedy and 'meta' humor, where the mechanics of the medium itself become part of the joke. They brought a vaudevillian sensibility to the early sound era of Hollywood, helping to define the 'insane' comedy genre that would later be refined by groups like Monty Python.
Lasting Legacy
Olsen's legacy is preserved through the 'Hellzapoppin'' film, which is frequently cited by film historians as one of the most inventive comedies of the Golden Age. His hometown of Peru, Indiana, maintains the Ole Olsen Memorial Theatre, ensuring his contribution to the arts continues to inspire local performers. He is remembered as a pioneer of the 'anything can happen' school of entertainment.
Who They Inspired
His work influenced a generation of comedians who utilized surrealism and audience disruption, including the creators of 'Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In' and Spike Jones.
Off Screen
Olsen was married twice. His first marriage was to Lillian Louise Clem in 1912, with whom he had four children; they later divorced. In 1961, he married Eileen Maria Osthoff, a dancer and choreographer. He was the father-in-law of famous inventor and aviator William P. Lear, who married Olsen's daughter Moya.
Education
Northwestern University (Degree in Music, 1912)
Family
- Lillian Louise Clem (1912-1950s)
- Eileen Maria Osthoff (1961-1963)
Did You Know?
- His famous motto, 'May you live as long as you laugh, and laugh as long as you live,' is inscribed on his headstone.
- He was a skilled violinist and often incorporated the instrument into his early vaudeville acts.
- Olsen was involved in a near-fatal car accident in 1950 but made a full recovery to continue performing.
- He is buried in a grave immediately adjacent to his lifelong partner, Chic Johnson, in Las Vegas.
- His daughter Moya married Bill Lear, the creator of the Learjet.
- The film 'Oh, Sailor, Behave!' was originally intended to be in Technicolor but was released in black and white due to a temporary decline in the popularity of musicals.
In Their Own Words
May you live as long as you laugh, and laugh as long as you live.
Anything can happen, and it probably will!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Ole Olsen?
Ole Olsen was a legendary American comedian and musician best known as half of the comedy duo Olsen and Johnson. He was a pioneer of 'nut comedy' and helped create the groundbreaking Broadway and film hit 'Hellzapoppin''.
What films is Ole Olsen best known for?
He is most famous for the surreal comedy 'Hellzapoppin'' (1941). Other notable films include his debut 'Oh, Sailor, Behave!' (1930), '50 Million Frenchmen' (1931), and 'Ghost Catchers' (1944).
When was Ole Olsen born and when did he die?
Ole Olsen was born on November 6, 1892, in Peru, Indiana, and passed away on January 26, 1963, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
What was Ole Olsen's acting style?
His style was anarchic and high-energy, characterized by breaking the fourth wall, rapid-fire gags, and heavy audience interaction. He and partner Chic Johnson were famous for creating a sense of 'orchestrated mayhem' on stage and screen.
Did Ole Olsen win any awards?
While he did not win an Oscar, he received the Donaldson Award for his work on Broadway and is honored with a memorial theatre in his hometown for his contributions to American entertainment.
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Films
1 film
