Heading to America… for Good
In 1912, Laurel and the Fred Karno Troupe left England to tour the United States. The way Laurel saw it, the tour would be a fun, temporary experience – an interval before returning to London. Laurel, however, ended up staying in the US. By 1917, he was paired with Australian Mae Dahlberg as a double act both on the stage and on film. They were also living as common-law husband and wife.
Laurel and Hardy. Stan Laurel (Left) And Oliver Hardy (Right). Photo By Granger/Shutterstock
That year, Laurel made his film debut with Dahlberg in Nuts. It was during his time working with Dahlberg that he began using the name “Stan Laurel,” changing it legally in 1931. With time, Dahlberg’s tempestuous nature made it difficult to work with her.