Charles J. Ross

Charles Joseph Kelly (February 18, 1859 – June 15, 1918), known professionally as Charles J. Ross or Charley Ross, was a Canadian-American entertainer, composer and theatrical producer who performed in vaudeville, burlesque, and on the stage. Ross and his wife, Mabel Fenton, became popular for their parodies of classical plays.

Career Ross began as a circus entertainer with P. T. Barnum before his stage debut on April 5, 1885, at Miner's Bowery Theatre in Manhattan as a singer and impersonator. Next he performed with Herman's Transatlantic in a variety act at the Atlantic Gardens Bowery Theater.

Ross married actress Ada Towne (known professionally as Mabel Fenton) on June 9, 1887, during a stopover at Deadwood, South Dakota amidst a vaudeville tour of the American West. The couple soon created the act Ross and Fenton and within two years became a staple of the Weber and Fields Company in New York performing their farce productions of classic and popular plays of the day. Ross later formed his own company and continued to perform well into the early decades of the twentieth century. The couple appeared in at least two films: Death of Nancy Sykes (1897) and How Molly Malone Made Good (1915).

In the late 1890s, Ross and his wife opened Ross Fenton Farm, a resort hotel in Asbury Park, New Jersey that also doubled as their primary residence. For a number of years, Ross Fenton Farm was a popular mecca for New York area artist and entertainers. Most of the resort burned to the ground in 1950. Some of the original houses are still standing, including the main house of Charles Ross and Mable Fenton.

Death Ross died on June 15, 1918, at Ross Fenton Farm after a long illness and failed operation. Ross' wife Mabel died on April 19, 1931, in Los Angeles at the age of 66. They are buried together at Glenwood Cemetery in West Long Branch, New Jersey.

Broadway credits Poster for Ross & Fenton's Twirly Whirly (Library of Congress ca. 1890s)

Date Production Role Notes April 6 – May 27, 1899 Helter Skelter Lord Shaggy Shetland September 21, 1899 – May 5, 1900 Whirl-i-gig Performer September 6, 1900 – April 20, 1901 Fiddle-dee-dee Marcus FinishusLieutenant Tention February 11 – May 4, 1901 My Lady Cardinal Richelieu November 4, 1901 – May 31, 1902 The Sleeping Beauty and the Beast Queen Spadia September 24, 1903 – May 28, 1904 Catherine Duke de Coocoo April 9 – September 15, 1906 The Social Whirl Julian Endicott Lyricist and songwriter April 1 – April 14, 1907 The Social Whirl Performer July 8 – November 10, 1907 Ziegfeld Follies of 1907 Performer January 2 – May 16, 1908 The Merry Widow Burlesque Prince Dandilo November 16, 1908 – January 30, 1909 The Merry Widow and The Devil Prince Dandilo September 1, 1909 – January 1910 The Love Cure Torrelli October 23 – October 1911 Mrs. Avery – Producer April 11 – September 7, 1912 A Winsome Widow Rashleigh Gay July 22 – November 16, 1912 The Passing Show of 1912 Performer

Filmography Year Title Role Notes 1897 Death of Nancy Sykes Bill Sykes Short film 1904 The Story the Biograph Told Adulterous husband. With Mabel Fenton. Short film for Edison. 1914 The Great Diamond Robbery Mr. Bulford 1914 A Double Haul Short filmAlternative title: The Millionaire Detective 1914 A Strange Adventure Short film 1915 How Molly Malone Made Good Himself, Cameo Appearance 1915 The Senator 1916 Who Killed Simon Baird? John Maitland Alternative title: By Whose Hand?