John Wilkes Booth

John Wilkes Booth (May 10, 1838 – April 26, 1865) was an American actor who is most famous for assassinating Abraham Lincoln. A professional and extremely popular stage actor of his day, Booth was a Confederate sympathizer who was dissatisfied by the outcome of the American Civil War.

Booth in popular culture

Booth is the star of the musical Assassins by Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman. He is referred to as "the pioneer" of presidential assassinations. He is portrayed as being more sane than the other Assassins, and he successfully leads them against the Balladeer in Another National Anthem. His own song, the Ballad of Booth, is a traditional Civil War song, a slow and almost saddening rendition that contrasts sharply with the later ballad which the Balladeer sings for Booth's friend Czolgosz. He argues with the Balladeer (who refers to him as "Johnny" throughout the song) until the folk singer agrees with his ideas; but after he kills himself, the Balladeer returns to mocking Booth.

Related Topics:
Assassins - Stephen Sondheim - John Weidman

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Stopping Booth's assassination of Lincoln is also a popular theme in time travel-related fiction. Examples include an episode of The Twilight Zone (Back There), the Robert Silverberg short story "The Assassin", and the card game Chrononauts.

Related Topics:
Time travel - The Twilight Zone - Back There - Robert Silverberg - Chrononauts

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He is also referenced in the comedy film Zoolander as the first "actor/model" in a line of noted assassins, part of an ongoing conspiracy to keep clothing manufacture prices low.

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