(1831-1889) American comedian, entertainer, songwriter, actor, troupe manager, entrepreneur
Frank Hussey made his professional debut in the USA in the early 1850s but had to (temporarily) abandon this career due to family pressure. He returned to the stage during the California gold rush and went on to carve out a significant reputation in America and internationally – notably as a troupe manager/leader. Hussey’s US career included the following companies: Wells and Hussey Minstrels, Hussey’s New York Minstrels, Hussey and Taylor’s California Minstrels, Hussey’s Male and Female Minstrels, and Hussey’s Minstrels (aka Frank Hussey’s Troupe).
Hussey came to Australia in 1869 and was initially associated with Frank Weston (including Weston and Hussey's Minstrels). He later toured his own troupes and starred in Walter Cooper’s Hazard (written for him) in 1872. He left Australia that same year but returned in 1884 for F. E. Hiscocks. Hussey settled in Launceston in 1886 and died there three years later.
[Source: Australian Variety Theatre Archive]
