KLIMT, GEORGE

(1861-1942)

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, the actor-manager began by starting arepertoirecompany, the Klimt-Heran company, to tour the south. Hisadvance agent, Frank Gaz-zolo, later became his partner in producingmelodrama. Klimt and Gazzolo struck it rich withThe James Boys in Missouri. At their apogee, they had as many as ten companies on the road while operating stock companies in Chicago. They opened the Imperial Theatre there in 1911. As an actor, Klimt was "the west side's leading man." According to Robert L. Sherman, he later lost his fortune and lost his mind and died in an institution.