English comedian, born on the 9th of December 1847, the son of a law reporter and entertainer of the same name. After some years of journalistic work he started about 1870 as a public entertainer, with songs and recitations; but in 1877 he began a long connection with the Gilbert and Sullivan operas at the Savoy Theatre, London, in The Sorcerer. For twelve years he had the leading part, his capacity for “patter-songs,” and his humorous acting, dancing and singing marking his creations of the chief characters in the Gilbert and Sullivan operas as the expression of a highly original individuality. In 1889 he left the Savoy, and again set up as an entertainer, visiting all the cities of Great Britain and the United States, but retiring in 1901. Among other books he wrote The Reminiscences of a Society Clown (1888); and, with his brother Weedon, The Diary of a Nobody (1894). His humorous songs and sketches numbered over six hundred. He died at Folkestone on the 1st of March 1912. His younger brother, Weedon Grossmith, who was educated as a painter and exhibited at the Academy, also took to the stage. George Grossmith’s two sons, Laurence Grossmith and George Grossmith, jun., were both actors. His son, George Grossmith (1874–1935), English comedian and third of the name, who made his first appearance at the Shaftesbury theatre in an operetta by his father, became a well-known figure in musical comedy, especially at the Gaiety theatre, London. He was the author, or part author, of many musical plays, songs and revues, and took a leading part in popularizing revue in London. Together with Edward Laurillard he became lessee and manager of several London theatres. During the World War he served as lieutenant in the R.N.V.R.
