EMMET, J. K.

(1841-1891)

   Joseph Kline Emmet was born in St. Louis, where he remained a popular favorite throughout his acting career. Despite his Irish parentage, he specialized in playing a German stock character called Fritz. According to critic Austin Latchaw (Kansas City Star, 30 April 1935), his "Fritz comedies" were "replete with sentiment, song and romance, with moments of drama or pathos. We had 'Fritz in a Madhouse,' 'Fritz in Ireland,' 'Fritz in Prosperity,' and so on. . . . In all of these pieces Emmet appeared in the dress (including the funny little cap) of the German immigrant."