Victor Moore

Victor Moore was an American stage and screen actor whose career spanned more than six decades, making him one of the most recognizable comedic performers of the early 20th century. Born Victor Fred Moore on February 24, 1876, in Hammonton, New Jersey, he first appeared on Broadway in 1896 with the production Rosemary and quickly became a staple of the theatrical world, earning acclaim for his timing and endearing nervous persona. Over the next half‑century he starred in twenty‑one Broadway shows, including hits such as Oh, Kay! (1926) as Shorty McGee, Hold Everything! (1928) as Nosey Bartlett, and the iconic Anything Goes (1934) where he originated the beloved Moonface Martin role. His Broadway success led to a prolific film career; he debuted in silent shorts for Cecil B. DeMille in 1915 and later appeared in more than fifty films, ranging from the musical Swing Time (1936) with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers to the classic holiday favorite It Happened on 5th Avenue (1947) in which he played the hapless vagrant Aloysius T. McKeever. Moore’s versatility also extended to radio and television, where he guested as himself on The Martin and Lewis Show (1949) and became a regular on The Jimmy Durante Show, while occasional cartoon cameo work, such as the 1945 Daffy Duck short Ain’t That Ducky, showcased his willingness to experiment with emerging media.\n\nBeyond his professional achievements, Moore’s personal life was marked by two long marriages: first to actress Emma Littlefield (1903‑1934), with whom he adopted three children—Victor Jr., Ora Victora, and Robert Emmett—and later to Shirley Paige (married 1942 until his death). A devoted community figure, he founded the L.I.G.H.T.S. society on Long Island, fostering camaraderie among entertainers and instituting “Christmas in July” celebrations for those working during the holiday season. A staunch Republican, Moore campaigned for Thomas E. Dewey in 1944. He passed away from a heart attack on July 23, 1962, at the age of 86, and is interred at Cypress Hills Cemetery in Brooklyn. His legacy endures in New York’s transit history, with the Victor Moore Bus Terminal at the Roosevelt Avenue‑74th Street station named in his honor, reflecting his lasting impact on both the entertainment industry and the city he called home.