Julian Eltinge was one of America’s biggest entertainment stars during the early 20th century. Known as “the greatest female impersonator in the world,” he commanded Broadway stages, appeared in silent films, and became one of the highest-paid performers in the country.
Few people know that after his extraordinary career faded, Eltinge spent part of his later years living quietly in Alpine, at a rural property on South Grade Road.
Born William Julian Dalton in Massachusetts on May 14, 1881, Eltinge grew up in Butte, Montana. From an early age, he was drawn to theater and female roles, with encouragement from his mother. His father, however, strongly disapproved and reacted harshly, reflecting the strict gender expectations of the era.
At 17, Dalton left home for Boston, adopted the stage name Julian Eltinge, and began building a career that would eventually make him one of the most famous entertainers of his time.
By the early 1900s, Eltinge had become a major force in vaudeville, a popular form of live entertainment that featured singers, comedians, dancers, actors, and specialty performers.
His female impersonation performances became his signature act, earning him national attention and a reputation as one of the most talented performers on the stage.
Left: A poster for the film The Fascinating Widow in 1911. (Photo courtesy of the New York Public Library Digital Collections/Collection; Billy Rose Theatre Division photograph file personalities). At the right, an image from the film. (Photo courtesy of Wikipedia/Public Domain)During the 1910s and 1920s, Eltinge became a theatrical sensation. His portrayals of women were so convincing that audiences were often surprised when he appeared out of costume.
He starred in Broadway productions and silent films, developed his own line of beauty products, corsets and shoes, and published Julian Eltinge’s Magazine of Beauty Hints and Tips. At the height of his fame, a Broadway theater was named in his honor.
Offstage, Eltinge carefully managed his public image. While he performed glamorous female characters onstage, he promoted a traditionally masculine persona away from the theater, appearing in photographs with cigars, boxing poses, and other symbols of masculinity.
He never married and kept his private life largely out of the public eye. During the 1920s, when even rumors about a performer’s sexuality could damage a career, some historians have suggested that his carefully created masculine image may have been another part of his public persona.
However, there are some photos that state he was married to fellow actor and vaudeville actress Laurette Bullivant; however, according to IMDb, she was married to Dwight Frye.
Eltinge on a voyage to Japan with vaudeville actress Laurette Bullivant, c. 1920. he supposedly told the photographer she was his wife. (Photo and caption info courtesy of Wikipedia Commons/Public Domain)Actor Noël Coward admired Eltinge’s artistry, calling him “a miracle of artistry” and praising the grace of his performances. Fellow performer Bert Savoy also respected his dedication, noting that Eltinge rehearsed every movement carefully and treated his craft as serious art.
By the 1930s, Eltinge’s career began to decline. The Great Depression, changing entertainment tastes, and increasing restrictions on cross-dressing performances reduced his opportunities. The performer who once filled theaters nationwide found himself working smaller venues and selling many of the possessions connected to his former success.
All photos of Eltinge in various costumes. (Photos courtesy of The Billy Rose Theatre Collection, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts)Among those changes was the sale of his elegant Silver Lake home in Los Angeles, which still stands today. The residence reflected the level of success Eltinge achieved during his years as one of America’s most recognizable entertainers.
During this period, Eltinge settled in Alpine at 2690 South Grade Road, living on the rural property under his legal name, William Dalton. His connection to the community was later remembered through Eltinge Drive, a road named in recognition of the entertainer’s time in Alpine.
According to Alpine Historical Society President Bob Ring, the ranch was managed by his grandfather, Virgil Ring.
“My grandparents came to Alpine in the early 1920s because my grandmother had tuberculosis,” Bob Ring said. “My grandfather became the ranch foreman for Bill Dalton in the mid-1920s. My dad and aunts also lived on the ranch. They stayed until the property was sold in 1930 due to the Depression. My grandfather said Mr. Dalton was a good man and treated them well.”
At the time, Alpine was nationally recognized for its mild climate, which attracted people seeking healthier conditions, particularly those recovering from respiratory illnesses. Families such as the Rings came to the area for its environment and eventually became part of the community.
The Alpine property where Eltinge once lived remains standing, offering a quiet connection to a performer whose career helped shape early entertainment history.
Advertisement in Moving Picture World, August 1917. (Photo courtesy of Wikipedia Commons/Public Domain)Eltinge eventually left Alpine and returned to the East Coast. On March 7, 1941, shortly before a scheduled performance, he died of a cerebral hemorrhage in his New York apartment at age 59.
Today, Julian Eltinge is remembered as a pioneering entertainer whose performances helped redefine early American theater. While his vaudeville and Broadway career made him famous nationwide, his time in Alpine remains a lesser-known chapter — a period when one of the country’s most celebrated performers lived quietly in the hills east of San Diego.
Various photos of Eltinge while impersonating women. (All photos courtesy of the New York Public Library Digital Collections/Collection Billy Rose Theatre Division) Eltinge in full drag. (Photo courtesy of Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library. “Julian Eltinge” The New York Public Library Digital Collections. 1900 – 1940)Sources:
Alpine Historical Society — “William J. Dalton | aka Julian Eltinge” (local history research on Eltinge’s Alpine years, property at 2690 South Grade Road, and the Dalton family connection) The American Vaudeville Museum, University of Arizona Collections — “Julian Eltinge: Vaudeville’s Most Famous Female Impersonator” (career history, vaudeville performances, Broadway success)Oxford Academic — Beautiful: The Story of Julian Eltinge, America’s Greatest Female Impersonator (biographical research on Eltinge’s stage, film, and cultural impact) Internet Broadway Database (IBDB) — Julian Eltinge biography and Broadway credits
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