Donald Brian

Donald Brian
Born	February 17, 1877 St. Johns, Newfoundland
Died	December 22, 1948 Great Neck, Long Island, New York
Occupation	actor singer
Years active	1899–1939
Spouse(s)	Florence Gleason Pope Virginia O'Brien (1 daughter)

Donald Brian (February 17, 1877 – December 22, 1948) was an actor, dancer and singer born in St. John's, Newfoundland (now Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada). In 1907, he starred in the hit operetta The Merry Widow. The same year, he was called "King of Broadway" by The New York Times. Brian is also noted for helping President Theodore Roosevelt act more relaxed in public and teaching Frank Sinatra to dance and entertain U.S. Troops in England with Bob Hope.

Brian, a tenor, was employed in a Boston machine shop and, at the age of 16, began performing with a vocal quartet. When he joined a theatrical troupe in New York City, he was soon in demand as a leading man. He had leading roles in more than 20 Broadway musicals. In 1915 Brian signed with film producer Jesse L. Lasky to do two films, The Voice in the Fog (1915) and The Smugglers (1916). After the latter he made no more film appearances until the sound era. His first sound film was an excerpt of his role in Peggy O'Hooligan (1925), made in the DeForest Phonofilm sound-on-film process.

Brian was president of the Catholic Actor's Guild and helped many young budding performers excel in their career.

He was married twice, first to a divorced woman named Mrs. Florence Gleason Pope and second to stage actress Virginia O'Brien (not to be confused with the film actress born 1919). He and O'Brien had one daughter, Denise.

Brian died in Great Neck, New York in 1948.

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