Walter Stanton
Walter Stanton | |
|---|---|
.png) Profiled in Collier's in 1925 | |
| Born | Walter Stanton Burch June 30, 1855 London, England |
| Died | October 29, 1943 (aged 88) |
| Occupations | Actor and entertainer |
| Years active | 1879–1930 |
| Known for | The Giant Rooster |
| Spouse | |
| Children | |
Walter Stanton Burch (June 30, 1855 – October 29, 1943), known professionally as "The Giant Rooster", was an English-American actor and entertainer.
Acting career
[edit]In 1879, Stanton Burch began performing animal mimics to make money. He stated that his father was a mimic and that he had inherited that same gift.
In 1883, he was featured as "The Human Barnyard" at Keith's Dime Theatre in Boston.[1]
By 1885, his impersonations included animals like a turkey, duck, raven, pigeon, and eventually his main role as a rooster. He toured theatres and fairs throughout Europe, Australia, New Zealand, America and beyond. In 1888, he was officially featured as "The Giant Rooster" on the stage at Barnum & Bailey circus.[2]
In 1890, he was described as the "stellar attraction" for months at the Paris Hippodrome. He appeared on billboards and banners as "Monsieur Stanton: Chantecler". He was described as a "household word" throughout France. Poet Edmond Rostand was in the audience in one of his shows and applauded him. He also worked with Maude Adams in those shows.[1]
Around that time in the 1890s and early 1900s, he did duet shows with his wife and eventually with his son Val when he reached adolescence.[3][4]
Walter was a tutor during this time, including his sons and Charlie Chaplin.[5]
Personal life
[edit]He married opera singer Tina Corri on October 15, 1885 in Liverpool, England.[6] Their two sons, Valentine and Ernest, were born in 1886 and 1890, respectively. They later divorced.
They immigrated to the United States through Chicago in 1898.[7]
Family
[edit]Filmography
[edit]- The Mechanical Head (1903) as Actor
- Burlesque Cock Fight (1903) as Himself
References
[edit]- 1 2 "Forty Years a Rooster". Collier's. Vol. 75, no. 6. February 7, 1925. p. 44. Retrieved January 20, 2026 – via Google Books.
- 1 2 "Val and Ernie Stanton Born in Show Business". Portland Sunday Telegram. February 10, 1924. p. 19. Archived from the original on January 20, 2026. Retrieved January 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Mr. Walter Stanton". The Era. London. February 25, 1893. p. 26. Archived from the original on January 20, 2026. Retrieved January 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Circus of Varieties, Newgate, Rochdale". Rochdale Observer. February 20, 1897. p. 1. Archived from the original on January 20, 2026. Retrieved January 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Stanley Theatre Daily News". The Daily Journal. Vineland, New Jersey. January 21, 1929. p. 4. Archived from the original on January 20, 2026. Retrieved January 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Walter and Annie Corri marriage". Ancestry.com. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ↑ "1900 U.S. Census". Ancestry.com. Retrieved January 29, 2026.
