Tony Pastor (April 26, 1833-August 26, 1908) was known as the Father of Vaudeville for his contributions as a performer and manager of variety entertainment. He was elected to The Lambs in 1895 as a Professional member.
Pastor began his career as a circus clown, later shifting to comic singer on stage, and finally to manager and entrepreneur. As an entertainer, Pastor was known for his large repertoire of songs, many of which he wrote himself, and his ability to connect with the audience. As a manager, Pastor was known for bringing vaudeville to the forefront of mainstream entertainment, his business prowess, and his congenial and loyal relationships with the performers he managed. Pastor owned several theaters, with his most famous being the Tammany Hall Theater in Union Square that operated from 1881 until his death in 1908.