As part of their act, Ahern told jokes and performed rope tricks while his wife, using a Mexican accent, sang and danced.

Ahern reportedly ran off with Buffalo Bill's Wild West troupe in 1909 after a local appearance, and learned rope spinning while working with the show.

[2] After World War I, Ahern and his partner, Joe O'Hare, performed a mind-reading act aboard the George Washington, a ship carrying U.S. delegates to Europe for the peace conference.

After splitting up, Ahern performed solo until he met Gladys Reese in Chicago in 1919 and they formed an act.

[3][4] The Aherns spoke German, French, Italian, and Spanish, and performed for many years in Europe after American vaudeville became less popular, including appearances for soldiers during World War II.