Elizabeth "Bonnie" Thornton ( Cox; c. 1871-March 13, 1920) was an American

vaudeville Vaudeville (; ) is a theatrical genre of variety entertainment which began in France in the middle of the 19th century. A ''vaudeville'' was originally a comedy without psychological or moral intentions, based on a comical situation: a drama ...

comedian and singer. She was considered "one of vaudeville's first headliners" and a "popular

seriocomic Comedy drama (also known by the portmanteau dramedy) is a hybrid genre of works that combine elements of comedy and drama. In film, as well as scripted television series, serious dramatic subjects (such as death, illness, betrayal, grief, etc.) ...

singer".

Life and career

Thornton was born as Elizabeth Cox around 1871 in the old 4th Ward of New York. In 1885, she married the songwriter and singer James Thornton after a courtship that lasted two years. The couple had no children. She began her theater career at age 17 as a seriocomic, performing sentimental and comic songs, and appearing in concert halls. By 1888, Thornton made her debut at Tony Pastor's Theatre as a singing comedian. In 1893, she began performing in vaudeville as a

double act A double act (also known as a comedy duo) is a form of comedy originating in the British music hall tradition, and American vaudeville, in which two comedians perform together as a single act, often highlighting differences in their characters' ...

with James Thornton, her husband. She sang James Thornton's music in her performances, and helped make a number of his pieces popular during the time, including the song, "My Sweetheart's the Man in the Moon". She performed this new song during the start of the 1893 season at Tony Pastor's, along with the song "After Dark". Thornton became a local favorite at Tony Pastor's, and was sometimes a featured singer on his theater bills. She continued to be an entertainer at Tony's until at least 1903. Thornton also performed in variety acts on stage, and vaudeville on tour. She entertained at Allen's Bal Mabille on Bleecker Street, where James was also a singing waiter. In the 1910s, she and Jim divorced, although at the time of her death, they were reported as husband and wife; their divorce, which occurred in secrecy, would be publicly disclosed by 2007. Around 1915, Thornton began to run a

millinery Hat-making or millinery is the design, manufacture and sale of hats and other headwear. A person engaged in this trade is called a milliner or hatter. Historically, milliners made and sold a range of accessories for clothing and hairstyles. ...

business in New York City, which she operated until her death. Her last vaudeville performance was with James- who was at the time publicly presumed to still be her husband- in 1919. She died of double pneumonia in New York City on March 13, 1920.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Thornton, Bonnie Year of birth unknown 1920 deaths Entertainers from New York City American vaudeville performers American milliners 19th-century American women singers 19th-century American singers 20th-century American women singers 20th-century American singers