Lew Fields facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lew Fields
Fields in 1912
Born	Moses Schoenfeld January 1867 Poland
Died	July 20, 1941(1941-07-20) (aged 74) Beverly Hills, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actor, comedian
Years active	1913-1940
Spouse(s)	Rose Harris (1893-1941) (his death)
Children	Dorothy Fields Herbert Fields Joseph Fields

Lew Fields, born Moses Schoenfeld, was an American actor and comedian. He was a big star in vaudeville shows. He also managed theaters and produced many plays. Lew Fields was famous for being half of a comedy team called Weber and Fields. He also made comedy films.

Lew Fields' Early Life and Career

Joe Weber in 1901

Lew Fields was born Moses Schoenfeld. His parents were Polish-Jewish immigrants. He became part of a famous comedy team called Weber and Fields with his partner, Joe Weber.

They started performing in New York City. They appeared in museums, circuses, and variety shows. Their act was called a "Dutch act." In this act, they pretended to be German immigrants. They made recordings of their funny performances.

Their characters, Mike and Meyer, were often shown trying to fit into American life. Their routines showed them trying to make it big or just survive. For example, Mike, the clever one, would try to trick Meyer into getting them a free lunch.

Becoming Vaudeville Stars

Weber and Fields toured for many years. They became one of the most popular acts in vaudeville. In 1896, they opened their own theater called the Weber and Fields' Broadway Music Hall.

There, they put on very successful burlesque shows. These shows were funny spoofs of popular Broadway plays. Many famous performers and comedians acted in their shows. Some of these stars included Lillian Russell and Fay Templeton.

Lew Fields' Solo Work

Advertisement for The Man Who Stood Still (1916)

In 1904, the comedy duo separated. Joe Weber took over the music hall. Lew Fields then started producing many musicals on his own.

In 1911, Fields starred in a stage comedy called The Hen-Pecks. A dancer named Vernon Castle was also in the show. He later became a very famous ballroom dancer.

Fields also produced a show called Hanky Panky in 1912. It had songs by famous songwriters like Irving Berlin. In 1913, Fields produced and starred in the Broadway musical All Aboard.

In 1921, other stars like Fred Allen and Nora Bayes toured with Fields. A young Richard Rodgers, who later became a very famous composer, conducted the orchestra for one of Fields' shows.

Constance Carpenter and William Gaxton rehearsing for A Connecticut Yankee in 1928. Lew Fields is seen at the right.

Reunions and Later Years

In 1923, Weber and Fields reunited for a short film. They performed their famous pool hall routine. This film was shown in New York City.

Three years later, in 1926, they were part of the first broadcast on the NBC Radio Network. They even had their own radio show in 1931.

Weber and Fields performed together one last time in 1932. This was at the opening show of Radio City Music Hall. Lew Fields also appeared in a few movies. He played himself in the 1939 film The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle. He also had a small role in the 1940 movie Lillian Russell.

Lew Fields passed away in Beverly Hills, California, on July 20, 1941.

Lew Fields' Family

Lew Fields had three children who also became famous in the theater world. His daughter, Dorothy Fields, was a well-known songwriter. His sons, Herbert Fields and Joseph Fields, were successful writers for plays and movies.

Filmography

Fields (far right) in his first feature film, Old Dutch (1915).

• Old Dutch (1915)
• The Man Who Stood Still (1916)
• The Barker (1917)
• The Corner Grocer (1917)
• Friendly Enemies (1925)
• Two Flaming Youths (1927)
• Blossoms on Broadway (1937)
• The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle (1939)