Billy Dooley Killed in Fall From Cab

By Camden NJ History
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Philadelphia Inquirer article on the death of vaudeville comedian Billy Dooley, September 30, 1921
Philadelphia Inquirer, September 30, 1921
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BILLY DOOLEY KILLED IN FALL FROM CAB Member of Noted Vaudeville Family Will Be Buried From Mother's Home Here William (Billy) Dooley, born in Camden and a Philadelphia schoolboy, who was widely known among visitors at vaudeville theatres, died in New York yesterday following a fall from a taxi-cab on Tuesday. His body was sent to the residence of his mother, 6022 Locust street, and the funeral will be from the residence. "Billy" was the originator of what became known upon the stage as the "Dooley fall." Leaping into the air he would fall, apparently landing with full force upon one ear. The trick was a difficult one and the secret was in the fact that the acrobat really landed upon his right hand, but with such a small margin that the hand never was visible to the audience. John, Gordon and Ray, of the Dooley family, are all in vaudeville. Mary Dooley was an actress until her marriage several years ago. "Billy," Gordon and Ray were together several years in a team known as "The Three Dooleys." It was while Billy was playing a small part with the Metropolitan Minstrels that his ability was recognized and he was jumped into vaudeville. He was 37 years old.

Member of Noted Vaudeville Family Will Be Buried From Mother's Home Here

William (Billy) Dooley, born in Camden and a Philadelphia schoolboy, who was widely known among visitors at vaudeville theatres, died in New York yesterday following a fall from a taxi-cab on Tuesday. His body was sent to the residence of his mother, 6022 Locust street, and the funeral will be from the residence.

"Billy" was the originator of what became known upon the stage as the "Dooley fall." Leaping into the air he would fall, apparently landing with full force upon one ear. The trick was a difficult one and the secret was in the fact that the acrobat really landed upon his right hand, but with such a small margin that the hand never was visible to the audience.

John, Gordon and Ray, of the Dooley family, are all in vaudeville. Mary Dooley was an actress until her marriage several years ago. "Billy," Gordon and Ray were together several years in a team known as "The Three Dooleys."

It was while Billy was playing a small part with the Metropolitan Minstrels that his ability was recognized and he was jumped into vaudeville. He was 37 years old.

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