Jane 'Cuddles' Shirley

Jane Shirley was the adopted daughter of comedian Larry Rich (A.K.A. Larry Richardson) and Cheri Rich. In the 1930s she joined her father's famous vaudeville troupe and played some of the most prestigious theatres in America. Her brother, Larry Rich, Jr. joined her in the act, which often numbered more than 40 performers. In the 1920s her father, billed as Larry Richardson, acted in several film shorts for the Century Film Corporation. It was during this time that "Cuddles" appeared in "My Baby Doll" (1925). In vaudeville Larry Rich was known as clown, singer, dancer, master of ceremonies and fronted a dance orchestra of 10 to 14 musicians. He successfully toured the country with his wife, Cheri, the Dean Twins (dancers) and often his brothers, Phil and Bernie. Eventually the two children would join the show and appear in major U.S. theatres. Her name appeared in publicity as Jane Shirlee and Shirlee Rich. In New York, Larry and Cheri Rich lived on West End Avenue in 1930, then moved to Jamaica, Queens. Larry Rich's shows consisted of several varied acts, that could include as many as 40 performers: Rich's orchestra, a tap troupe, a wire-walker, another comedian, a pantomime artist, an aerialist, a gymnast, singers, "The Little Rich Girls" (dancers), and always his wife, Cheri. In the summer of 1935, Larry Rich was appearing at Loew's Paradise Theatre in the Bronx (with Jane Shirley and her brother, Larry, Jr.), when he was suddenly taken ill, and died at home in Jamaica, Queens, Saturday, August 3 from a heart ailment.