A Gilded Fool is a four-act comedy play written by Henry Guy Carleton at the request of actor Nat Goodwin.

After debuting in Providence, Rhode Island at the beginning of September 1892, the production quickly relocated to New York City, where it appeared first in Brooklyn, then on Broadway.

Actor Nat Goodwin, who had become known for comedy, wanted to appear in a humorous play that included some elements of drama.

He asked playwright Henry Guy Carleton, who had recently written two tragedies, to work with him on the story that became A Gilded Fool.

The characters and cast from the Broadway production are given below:[5] In 1915, the play was adapted as a silent film of the same name, directed by Edgar Lewis.