Denver, Colorado, U.S. Ellis Alfred Swearingen (July 8, 1845 – November 15, 1904) was an American pimp and entertainment entrepreneur who ran the Gem Theater, a notorious brothel, in Deadwood, South Dakota, for 22 years during the late 19th century.

Who's head in the box in Deadwood?

Just like Tom Hanks had that volleyball to be his best friend, Al has as his closest confidant a severed head—that of an “Indian Chief” who was slain by road agents in the first season. Decapitated, his head was brought back to camp, and now resides in a wooden box that Al keeps in his office.

Is Al Swearengen good or bad?

8 Likable: Al Swearengen

He is the vulgar, violent and cunning owner of the Gem Saloon and a local crime boss in the town. Given some of the terrible things Al has done over the course of the series, it's strange to consider him likable, but there is an undeniable charming quality to him.

What disease did the Reverend have in Deadwood?

In the show, the circumstances of Smith's demise were changed to a gradual decay due to a brain tumor, though he was killed by Al Swearengen (Ian McShane) before dying from the cancer. He was also depicted conducting the funeral of Wild Bill Hickok when in reality there was no preacher involved in his burial.

Was Cy Tolliver a real person?

Cy Tolliver – There is no record of a Cy Tolliver in Deadwood's history. The Bella Union was actually was built and owned by a man named Tom Miller in 1876 and truly was the grandest place in town. ... Cy Toliver is played by Powers Boothe on the HBO Deadwood series.

Deadwood Al & Chief

18 related questions found

Who stabbed Cy Tolliver?

As Season 2 climaxes, Swearengen ends up on top, leaving Cy Tolliver in a weakened position with both Francis Wolcott and Mr. Lee dead and Cy receiving a knife to the stomach courtesy of Andy Cramed, after attempting to coerce him into ending his ministerial activities.

Was Trixie a real person in Deadwood?

Many of the series' characters are real people.

Merrick, Charlie Utter, and George Hearst were all real people with noted moments in history, too. However, characters like Trixie, Whitney Ellsworth, and Alma Garret were largely fictional, based more on archetypes of people who would've had a place in Deadwood.

Is Deadwood based on a true story?

It was based on the real town of Deadwood, South Dakota and its residents. Though many of the characters really did exist like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane, Trixie, Whitney Ellsworth, and Alma Garret were all fictional, but were inspired by people of the time.

What's wrong with Doc on Deadwood?

By Season 3, Doc had come down with tuberculosis, an infection that once spread to the lungs was often fatal. Somehow, by the time Deadwood: The Movie took place over ten years later, Doc was cured. Somehow he was able to find a remedy or concoct some sort of cure for his ailment.

What's wrong with Al Swearengen?

Albert "Al" Swearengen was the deadly proprietor of the Gem Saloon up until 1889, and a pivotal figure in the town of Deadwood from its beginnings as a camp. ... In 1889, on the night of Hearst's defeat, Swearengen died contently of liver failure in his room at the Gem with Trixie at his side.

Why did Hearst cut off ALS finger?

In Season 3, Hearst shows great interest towards the Garrett claim. He first proves his psychotic and misanthropic nature for slaughtering his own Cornish miners for unionizing and cuts off Swearengen's finger only to show that he holds all the power.

Was Seth Bullock a real person?

Seth Bullock (July 23, 1849 – September 23, 1919) was a Canadian-American frontiersman, business proprietor, politician, sheriff, and U.S. Marshal. He was a prominent citizen in Deadwood, South Dakota, where he lived from 1876 until his death, operating a hardware store and later a large hotel, the Bullock Hotel.

Was the Bella Union Real?

The Bella Union was a saloon and theater that opened on September 10, 1876, in Deadwood, South Dakota. The proprietor was Tom Miller, an aggressive businessman who would buy several neighboring properties as well. Bella Union Saloon was a relatively upscale establishment where town meetings came to be held.

Did Hearst go to Deadwood?

George Hearst does come to Deadwood and eventually he buys the Homestake Mine. ... Farnum was appointed as mayor by the first miners' court in Deadwood.

What is a Hooplehead?

Hooplehead is not a common American slang term (most of the examples online have been taken from the series, which has probably given it more exposure than it has ever had before). It refers to a foolish, ridiculous or worthless person.

Does Bullock end up with Alma?

Eventually, they became sexually involved despite the fact Bullock is married to his brother's widow and is the stepfather of their son. He decides ultimately to end his relationship with Alma when his wife Martha and son William come to Deadwood.

Who is Mary in Deadwood?

Mary Mastrovich Vicich, a widow originally from Lead, SD, met the grief-sticken W.E. Adams on a train traveling from California to South Dakota. They became friends on the long journey, and when the train reached the station in Pluma, SD, he invited her to dinner in which she declined.

Did Deadwood get Cancelled?

The popular HBO series Deadwood was canceled after three seasons when WarnerMedia and Paramount Television couldn't come to terms. A western like no other. The HBO series Deadwood premiered on March 21, 2004, and ran for a total of three seasons.

Did Wyatt Earp spend time in Deadwood?

Wyatt Earp and Morgan Earp visited Deadwood.

The two had an interest in the Gold Rush, but didn't end up staying in Deadwood very long. After finding that land and mining rights had already been claimed, Morgan left for Dodge City before winter and Wyatt joined him in the spring.

Is there still gold in Deadwood?

Although prospectors scoured the area for the smallest flecks of gold in the 1800s, there is still plenty left to be found! Deadwood Gold offers guided tours to some of the most profitable gold panning hot spots. The customizable tours range from a few hours to days.

Who was Potato Creek Johnny?

John Perrett was panning in Potato Creek when he found a leg-shaped gold nugget. The nugget was reportedly the largest piece of gold ever found in the Black Hills. The lucky prospector became an instant Deadwood legend known as “Potato Creek Johnny.”

Did they really feed people to pigs in Deadwood?

Feeding 'em to the pigs

Deadwood's Mr. ... Bryant says there were no instances of feeding anybody to the pigs, but it wasn't entirely creative license. In 2002, police raided a Vancouver farm belonging to Robert Pickton, who would eventually be revealed as one of the most notorious serial killers in recent history.

Was Hearst a real character in Deadwood?

While one is a semi-fictitious villain whose malevolence dominates the HBO award-winning series Deadwood, the other—the real George Hearst—was an internationally recognized philanthropist and a man of proven integrity. George Hearst was broke when he struck gold for the first time in California in 1857.