Sam Bernard (born Samuel Barnett, 5 June 1863 – 16 May 1927) was an English-born American vaudeville comedian who also performed in musical theatre, comic opera and burlesque and appeared in a few silent films.
He began performing a song and dance act with his brother Dick in variety houses in Manhattan, changing their stage name from Barnett as they considered the name Bernard more "ethnic".
He was friendly with Joe Weber and Lew Fields, and in 1890 agreed to manage their troupes, the Russell Brothers Comedians and then the Vaudeville Club touring company, in which Bernard also starred.
After 1902, he worked primarily in Broadway musicals, including The Girl from Kays (1903), in which he created his character Mr Hoggenheimer and starred with Hattie Williams.
[1][2] Sam Bernard died of apoplexy while aboard the SS Columbus after its departure from New York en route to Europe.