Jack Norworth

Birth Name:
John Godfrey Knauff
Birth Date:
January 5, 1879
Birth Place:
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Death Date:
September 1, 1959
Place of Death:
Laguna Beach, California
Age:
80
Cause of Death:
Heart attack
Cemetery Name:
Melrose Abbey Memorial Park
Claim to Fame:
Show Business
Jack Norworth (1879–1959), born John Godfrey Knauff in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was an American songwriter, singer, actor, and vaudeville performer who became one of the most recognizable entertainers of the early twentieth century. He began his career performing in vaudeville and minstrel shows before moving into Broadway productions, including the Ziegfeld Follies. He frequently performed alongside his wife, singer and actress Nora Bayes, and the two became a popular entertainment duo. Together, they were associated with the popular song “Shine on, Harvest Moon” (1908), one of Norworth’s most successful compositions. That same year, he wrote the lyrics to “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” with music composed by Albert Von Tilzer. Inspired by a baseball advertisement he reportedly saw while riding the New York City subway, Norworth created a song that eventually became one of America's most beloved baseball traditions. Although he wrote thousands of songs and performed in theater, radio, and film, he is best remembered for these two musical classics. Norworth continued working in entertainment throughout his life and died in Laguna Beach, California, on September 1, 1959. His contributions to American popular music were recognized with his induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970.

Jack Was Popular With The Ladies …

Jack Norworth was married five times:
  • Louise Dresser (actress, first wife)
  • Nora Bayes (famous vaudeville performer and co-writer, married 1908–1913)

  • Dorothy Adelphi (actress, third wife)

  • Mary Johnson 

  • Amy B. Archer Swor (married in 1951)

Cemetery Information:

Final Resting Place:

Melrose Abbey Memorial Park

2303 S Manchester Avenue

Anaheim, California, 92802

USA

North America

Map:

Map of Melrose Abbey Memorial Park in Anaheim, California
Melrose Abbey Memorial Park in Anaheim, California

Grave Location:

Section G, Lot 136, Space 3

Grave Location Description

As you enter the cemetery take the first left fork in the road. Drive 100 feet until the road veers to the left. Drive another 75 feet and park on the right. Look for the 5-foot tall memorial wall in the center of the lawn (12 rows from the road). Four spaces from the memorial wall you will find the flat marker for actor and lyricist Jack Norworth.

Grave Location GPS

33.793389, -117.895640

Visiting The Grave:

Photos:

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FAQ's

Jack Norworth was born on January 5, 1879.

Jack Norworth was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Jack Norworth died on September 1, 1959.

Jack Norworth died in Laguna Beach, California.

Jack Norworth was 80.

The cause of death was Heart attack.

Jack Norworth's grave is in Melrose Abbey Memorial Park

Read More About Jack Norworth:

Videos Featuring Jack Norworth:

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