swap_horiz Ethel Waters Alternatives

1

Bert Williams

Bert Williams was an African American vaudeville comedian, actor, and singer who became one of the most popular entertai...

African American Comedian Solo Act Singer

9.2 Excellent

2

Bessie Smith

Bessie Smith was an African American blues singer widely known as the 'Empress of the Blues.' She began her career perfo...

African American Solo Act 1920S 1930S Blues Singer

9.2 Excellent

3

Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson

Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson was an African American tap dancer and actor whose career spanned vaudeville, Broadway, and Ho...

African American Solo Act 1900S 1940S Tap Dancer

9.1 Excellent

4

Josephine Baker

Josephine Baker was an American-born French dancer, singer, and actress who achieved significant fame in France during t...

Dancer African American Paris 1920S

9.0 Excellent

5

Mae West

American actress, playwright, and comedian Mae West (1893–1980) began performing in vaudeville as a child and moved to B...

Comedian Solo Act Risque Singer

8.8 Great

6

Marie Lloyd

English music hall performer Matilda Alice Victoria Wood (1870–1922), known professionally as Marie Lloyd, was one of th...

UK Comedian Singer Music Hall

8.8 Great

7

Sophie Tucker

Sophie Tucker (1886–1966), born Sonia Kalish to a Jewish immigrant family, was an American singer and comedian billed as...

Comedian Solo Act Singer 1900S 1940S

8.7 Great

8

Fannie Brice

Fannie Brice (1891–1951) was an American comedian, singer, and Broadway performer who rose from amateur nights on New Yo...

Comedian Solo Act Singer 1910S 1930S

8.7 Great

9

Harry Lauder

Sir Harry Lauder (1870–1950) was a Scottish singer, comedian, and songwriter who became one of the highest-paid entertai...

Comedian Scottish Solo Act Singer

8.6 Great

10

Florence Mills

Florence Mills (1896–1927) was an African American singer, dancer, and comedian whose brief career made her one of the m...

Dancer African American Harlem Renaissance Singer

8.6 Great

11

Vesta Tilley

Vesta Tilley (1864–1952), born Matilda Alice Powles, was an English music hall performer who became one of the highest-p...

UK Singer Music Hall Male Impersonator

8.4 Great

12

Eddie Cantor

Eddie Cantor (1892–1964) was an American comedian, singer, and actor who began performing in vaudeville as a teenager an...

Comedian Solo Act Singer 1910S 1930S

8.3 Great

13

Jimmy Durante

Jimmy Durante (1893–1980) was an American comedian, singer, and actor who began his career in vaudeville and nightclubs...

Comedian Solo Act Singer 1910S 1950S

8.3 Great

14

Lillian Russell

Lillian Russell (1860 or 1861–1922), born Helen Louise Leonard, was an American actress and soprano who became a leading...

Solo Act Singer Actress 1880S 1910S

8.3 Great

15

Alberta Hunter

Alberta Hunter was an African American blues singer and songwriter whose performing career spanned several decades acros...

African American Crossover Solo Act 1920S 1930S

8.2 Great

16

Eva Tanguay

Eva Tanguay was a Canadian-born vaudeville star who became one of the most famous and highest-paid entertainers in the U...

Comedian Solo Act Singer 1900S 1920S

8.1 Great

17

Ida Cox

Ida Cox was an African American blues singer and vaudeville performer nicknamed the 'Uncrowned Queen of the Blues.' She...

African American Solo Act 1920S 1930S Blues Singer

8.1 Great

18

Cotton Club Parade

The Cotton Club Parade was a recurring revue staged at the Cotton Club, a nightclub in the Harlem neighborhood of New Yo...

African American 1930S Revue Harlem

7.9 Good

19

Nora Bayes

Nora Bayes (1880–1928) was an American singer, vaudeville performer, and comedian who achieved national fame in the earl...

Comedian Solo Act Singer 1900S 1920S

7.8 Good

20

Cecilia Loftus

Marie "Cecilia" Loftus (1876–1943) was a Scottish-born actress and vaudeville performer who achieved fame as a mimic in...

Impressionist Solo Act Singer 1890S 1920S

7.6 Good