Photo of alexander pantages biography death

Alexander Pantages , born Pericles Pantages in on the Greek island of Andros , ran away from home at age nine and served on merchant ships for several years, then worked at various odd jobs including a restaurant in San Francisco. With his named changed to Alexander after he heard about Alexander the Great , he reached the gold fields of Skagway and Dawson.

Both worked at the fancy Savoy Saloon where Kate distracted a customer, and Alex, a waiter, would take away their half-full drink so the miner would have to order again. Alex lost his job, but he moved in with Kate. Alex persuaded Kate to buy a theater for them to operate together, the Orpheum.

Photo of alexander pantages biography death: Born. Periklis Alexandros Pandazis. Andros, Greece

Kate became the star attraction and produced her own shows. Alex scheduled various acts and kept the miners happy to spend their gold dust. Fires destroyed the Orpheum three times. Then miners left Dawson for the latest strikes in Alaska. Alex and Kate sought better prospects elsewhere. In Seattle Alex opened the Crystal Theater, but Kate had to go on the road performing to pay the bills.