Harrigan and hart biography

American actor and playwright

Edward Harrigan (October 26, 1844 – June 6, 1911) was an Irish-American actor, singer, dancer, playwright, lyricist and theater producer who, together with Tony Hart (as Harrigan & Hart), formed one of the most celebrated theatrical partnerships of the 19th century.

His career began in minstrelsy and variety but progressed to the production of multi-act plays full of singing, dancing and physical comedy, making Harrigan one of the founding fathers of modern American musical theatre.

Harrigan and hart biography

Early years

Harrigan was born at Corlear's Hook in Lower Manhattan, New York City. He was one of 13 children, only four of whom lived past infancy. Their father was a Protestant from Newfoundland, and their mother was described as "a Protestant Yankee".^[1]

After Harrigan's parents divorced when he was 18, he worked at caulking ships, and his work eventually took him to San Francisco.

As a pastime, he wrote new lyrics