Montana Entertainers: Famous and Almost Forgotten

Treasure State stars Gary Cooper and Myrna Loy found unparalleled success during the Golden Age of Hollywood. For more than a century, Montana has supplied a rich vein of entertainment and personality–from daredevils to dancers and even mimes. Born in Miles City in 1895, comedian Gilbert Pee Wee Holmes played sidekick to such stars as Tom Mix. One-time Butte resident Julian Eltinge went on to become America’s first famous female impersonator. There was Taylor Gordon, whose golden voice propelled the son of a slave from White Sulphur Springs to Harlem Renaissance fame. From the little-known Robyn Adair to the ever-popular Michelle Williams, author Brian D'Ambrosio marks Big Sky Country’s long-standing connections with America’s performing arts.