Olsen, Ole, 1892-1963

John Sigvard "Ole" Olsen (1892-1963) was born in Peru, Indiana, and later moved with his family to Wabash, Indiana. After graduating from Northwestern University in 1912, Olsen performed in the Chicago area as a musician and singer. While performing there he met Harold Ogden "Chic" Johnson, and the two decided to team up and they became part of an act in Mike Fritzol's Frolics in 1914. They became known for exchanging insults during their act; Olsen served as the straight man for Johnson's jokes. Olsen and Johnson perfomed in the vaudeville circuits in the 1920s and 1930s billed as "Two Likeable Lads-Loaded with Laughs." In 1930 they signed a movie contract with Warner Brothers and appeared in numerous films in the 1930s and 1940s. Because of their reliance on spontaneity, movie scripts did not allow audiences to fully appreciate the Olsen and Johnson type of humor. They experienced their greatest success on the stage where they could exhibit their zany audience-involving style of comedy. After their final film in 1945 they returned to their vaudeville roots touring with revues in England and Australia. In the late 1940s they performed on early television variety shows. As their careers were winding down they continued their work in small night clubs and Las Vegas casinos in the early 1950s. Chic Johnson died on 28 February 1962. Ole Olsen died on 26 January 1963. They were buried next to each other at a Las Vegas cemetery.