Actor. Leading man of Broadway musicals of the 1920s and 1930s. He was the son of John and Cecelia (Hill) Gaxiola. He attended the University of California. He started out in vaudeville, his notable sketches being "Kisses" and "The Junior Partner." He served in the Navy during World War I. He married dancer Madeline Cameron in 1918. His Broadway debut was in the Music Box Revue of 1922. 1926 marked his film debut with "It's the Old Army Game," starring Louise Brooks. His first major Broadway role was in "A Connecticut Yankee" (1927), in which he introduced "Thou Swell." He also starred in the stage and screen versions of "Fifty Million Frenchmen." His best remembered role was John P. Wintergreen in "Of Thee I Sing" (1931), the Pulitzer Prize winning musical which paired him with comedian Victor Moore as Alexander Throttlebottom. The pairing was a hit, and they appeared in "Let 'Em Eat Cake" (1933), the less successful sequel to "Of Thee I Sing," "Anything Goes," (1934) in which he introduced "You're the Top" with Ethel Merman, "Leave It to Me!" (1938), "Louisiana Purchase" (1940), "Hollywood Pinafore" (1945), and "Nellie Bly" (1946). His film appearances were sporadic, among them were "Best Foot Forward" (1943) with Lucille Ball. He was Shepherd of The Lambs Club from 1936 to 1939, 1952 to 1953, and 1957 to 1961. He made some television appearances, and was the host of "Nash Airflyte Theatre." His last role was in "Paradise Island," which had Elaine Malbin and Arthur Treacher in the cast.
Actor. Leading man of Broadway musicals of the 1920s and 1930s. He was the son of John and Cecelia (Hill) Gaxiola. He attended the University of California. He started out in vaudeville, his notable sketches being "Kisses" and "The Junior Partner." He served in the Navy during World War I. He married dancer Madeline Cameron in 1918. His Broadway debut was in the Music Box Revue of 1922. 1926 marked his film debut with "It's the Old Army Game," starring Louise Brooks. His first major Broadway role was in "A Connecticut Yankee" (1927), in which he introduced "Thou Swell." He also starred in the stage and screen versions of "Fifty Million Frenchmen." His best remembered role was John P. Wintergreen in "Of Thee I Sing" (1931), the Pulitzer Prize winning musical which paired him with comedian Victor Moore as Alexander Throttlebottom. The pairing was a hit, and they appeared in "Let 'Em Eat Cake" (1933), the less successful sequel to "Of Thee I Sing," "Anything Goes," (1934) in which he introduced "You're the Top" with Ethel Merman, "Leave It to Me!" (1938), "Louisiana Purchase" (1940), "Hollywood Pinafore" (1945), and "Nellie Bly" (1946). His film appearances were sporadic, among them were "Best Foot Forward" (1943) with Lucille Ball. He was Shepherd of The Lambs Club from 1936 to 1939, 1952 to 1953, and 1957 to 1961. He made some television appearances, and was the host of "Nash Airflyte Theatre." His last role was in "Paradise Island," which had Elaine Malbin and Arthur Treacher in the cast.
Bio by: Miranda
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