Paul Spencer Swan (June 5, 1883 – February 1, 1972) was an American painter, sculptor, dancer, poet and actor.

His mother's religious convictions were disturbed by her son's "strange quirks" such as the elaborate theater productions he made with his sisters' dolls.

He tended to be rejected for his unconventional behavior and gender nonconformity, so he cultivated friendships with artists and LGBT figures in the area, including Willa Cather.

In 1910 Swan saw Russian actress Alla Nazimova perform in Ibsen's play Little Eyolf in Albany, New York.

Though Swan had a number of other lovers in his life, both men and women, he stayed close with his wife until her death in 1951.

[5][6] The aesthetic, Greek-inspired art and dance styles that Swan learned during this time would remain little changed throughout his life.

A journalist described the reaction of Paris audiences to shows that Swan starred in: "even this gay city has been shocked really and truly by the prevailing cult of nakedness, whose expositions grow more and more daring.

"[10] Swan become a friend and possibly lover to Isadora Duncan, pioneer of modern dance.

This comedic line was reused in the 1927 song Funny Face by George and Ira Gershwin, recorded by Ella Fitzgerald among others.