Alfred Latell

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Alfred Latell, born Alfred J. Lee on January 19, 1887, in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, was an American vaudeville entertainer famous for his animal impressions. He began performing as a teen after a priest saw him on street corners and hired him to entertain at local churches. He turned professional in 1902, wearing costumes and using wires to bring animals to life.

Latell appeared on Broadway in 1905 as a dog in The Babes and the Baron and became well known on the vaudeville circuit by 1907. He is best remembered for his Bonzo the Dog act, which he performed for many years. He also performed in The Cohan Revue of 1916 and toured Australia. In the 1940s he continued performing, including a 1943 soundie called Puttin’ On the Dog, credited as Al Latell, with Iris Howard.

His personal life included two wives: Estelle, his first partner, and Lucille, who used the stage name Sylvan Dell. Alfred Latell died on April 4, 1951, in Park Ridge, Illinois, at age 64 and was buried in an unmarked grave.