Elsie Janis Biography

Fast Facts

• Was the first American entertainer to go to France after the U․S․ entered World War I, where she danced and sang for soldiers and became known as the "Sweetheart of the American Expeditionary Force․"
• Became a child star when she was 8 years old and made her Broadway debut three years later
• Toured for several years in vaudeville as a teenager and was a talented mimic who could impersonate the likes of Sarah Bernhardt and John Barrymore
• Best known as a songwriter, screenwriter, and actress who appeared in silent films like "The Regular Girl" and "The Imp․"
• Composed more than 50 songs during her career and also wrote several magazine articles, books, and an autobiography
• Was a charter member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, which was formed in 1914
• Was possibly most popular for her musical revue "Elsie and Her Gang," which featured several ex-servicemen