Broadway star actor and singer gave us immortal "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling"

Browse Song Catalog: ASCAP

Chauncey Olcott

Inductee
Inducted

Irish American penned timeless Irish-themed hits including "My Wild Irish Rose"

Chauncey Olcott was born in Buffalo, New York on July 21, 1858. After being educated at the Christian Brothers school, Olcott moved to London to study voice.

In his early professional career, he performed as a singer in minstrel shows and acted in several Broadway shows including Barry of Ballymore, Isle of Dreams, The Heart of Paddy Whack and Macushla.

Collaborating with Ernest Ball and George Graff, Olcott produced several hit songs including “My Irish Rose”, “Mother Machree”, “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling”, “In the Sun shine of Your Love”, “Goodbye, My Emerald Land”, “I Love the Name of Mary”, “Every Star Falls in Love”, “Your Heart Alone Must Tell”, “Wearers of the Green”, “Laugh With a Tear in It”, “Day Dreams” and “Tic Tac Toe”.

Chauncey Olcott died in Monte Carlo on March 18, 1932.

Life life memorialized in 1947 Warner Bros. film "My Wild Irish Rose"

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