John Sewell Langrishe (September 24, 1825 – December 12, 1895), popularly known as the "Comedian of the Frontier", was an Irish-American actor and impresario who travelled extensively throughout the American West and later in life became one of the first State Senators of Idaho.

Because of Greeley's dislike of the theater, Folds adopted the Langrishe stage name, taking the surname from that of a judge and policeman that he knew in Ireland.

[1] Langrishe was known to appear on stage at least once in his native Ireland, but made his New York acting debut on December 8, 1845, at the Chatham Theater in a play called The Irish Attorney as a character named Pierce O'Hara.

[7] Langrishe arrived with his wife Jeannette and their Company in Deadwood, South Dakota, on July 15, 1876, and their first performance was held at The Bella Union.

[10] The Langrishe Theatre provided facilities for the Jack McCall murder trial, the man accused in the death of Wild Bill Hickok,[10] the first marriage to be performed in Deadwood August 26, 1876, George Morgan to L. McKelvey by Judge Kuykendall,[11] and as a meeting place for the fraternal order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

[12] General George Crook and his officers would attend a performance at the Langrishe Theatre September 23, 1876, while visiting Deadwood.

[13] Langrishe was an integral player in shaping Deadwood's early history as he participated in civic endeavors such as Independence Day event planning and fund raising for health charities.

Gross, Viola Porter, J.P. Clark and Emma Whittle performed nightly to packed houses while other forms of Deadwood entertainment and amusement drew equally large variety audiences at the Bella Union and Gem Theater where Negro Minstrels, Clog Dancers, Acrobats, Child Contortionists, Double Trapeze, Brass Bands and Serio-comic Song and Character Sketch Artists Charles Vincent and Georgie Morrell Vincent were at the top of the bill.

[18] Many Deadwood miners and businessmen relocated to Leadville, Colorado, in January 1879 to follow the promise of the new rush and the next big strike.

[20] Langrishe retired from the stage in 1885 and moved to Idaho where he served as a Justice of the Peace and occasional playwright in Coeur d'Alene.