Buster Keaton
As a silent film star, Buster Keaton was one of Hollywood’s most recognised comedians. At the time, physical humour was his most recognisable trademark. This nickname was bestowed to him because of his consistent deadpan expression in all of his films, regardless of the subject matter.
He served in the 40th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army in 1917 while still performing in vaudeville. The “Snake Dance,” where he charms a spool of sausages in front of an audience of fellow servicemen, was one of the many vaudeville performances he managed to fit in while serving his term.