Hank Henry Papers (MS-00490)

Comedian Hank Henry was born in New York City, New York, on July 9, 1906. He spent much of his youth practicing his comedic craft for pennies and nickels on the streets of New York. He dropped out of high school to join a carnival. Henry was eventually noticed by Harold Minsky and began performing at the Oriental Theater on Broadway in New York City. He found a new kind of audience in burlesque, but his career was temporarily halted when he was drafted into the army. He returned to New York and went back on the circuit after completing his military service. In early 1950, he received a call from a friend, who was now a successful agent, asking Henry if he wanted to come to Las Vegas, Nevada. He became part of the cast of characters to open the Golden Slipper Dance Hall (soon to become the Silver Slipper Dance Hall) on the Las Vegas Strip. Henry remained at the Silver Slipper Hotel and Casino for fourteen years. He then went to the Castaways Casino for seven months until that casino closed. He was contacted by Doc Bailey, owner of Hacienda Hotel, and they were negotiating for a new show when Bailey died. Bailey's wife, Judy, took over the hotel and negotiations continued with the show. When Judy Bailey died the show had no budget and closed.

Henry appeared in the movie The Only Game in Town with Elizabeth Taylor and Warren Beatty and made several other television and movie appearances. Hank Henry passed away in Las Vegas, Nevada on March 31, 1981.