Being a drag performer was a risky business in the early 20th century, when homosexuality was illegal and even being suspected of homosexuality was enough to ruin your life. William Julian Eltinge was happy to be the female ''Julian Eltinge' on stage, but went to great lengths to conceal details of his personal life away from it. With hindsight, perhaps he should have chosen a stage name further removed from the name he was born with!
Eltinge's start in drag came from his mother; she would dress him as a girl and convince him to sing and dance, much to the disapproval of her husband. The uniqueness of his act made him a popular vaudeville attraction, and led to him being cast in 'The Fascinating Widow' in 1910. That was the start of a modestly successful career in Hollywood, but one that would end too soon. He tragically died early during the 1930s, at the age of 59.