Harry Steppe became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1899.
10 Facts About Harry Steppe
1.
2.
One of Steppe's brothers was named Harry but it is not known if this was an inspiration for part of Steppe's stage name.
3.
Harry Steppe lived in Newark, New Jersey and in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
4.
At the age of 29, Harry Steppe claimed an exemption from the draft for World War I on the grounds that he supported his widowed mother.
5.
Harry Steppe was often billed with actress Lola Pierce, to whom he was reportedly linked romantically.
6.
One of Harry Steppe's alter egos Ignatz Cohen became a recurring and popular character based on an ethnic Jewish stereotype.
7.
Harry Steppe had a version of a shell game routine called "The Lemon Bit," that used lemons instead of peas.
8.
When Harry Steppe became gravely ill and unable to work, his friends in show business staged a fundraiser on his behalf, however Harry Steppe died in poverty.
9.
Pulmonary edema contributed to Harry Steppe's death, according to his death certificate.
10.
Harry Steppe was at Bellevue Hospital in New York, New York for two days and had been ill for a month, according to a story in Variety magazine, Nov 27,1934.