Ellis Alfred Swearengen (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.

Ellis Albert “Al” Swearengen was one of Deadwood’s most infamous and brutal citizens. He opened his “Gem Theater” in 1876 as one of the first entertainment venues in town. Swearengen lured desperate women from all around and then bullied …

Albert "Al" Swearengen is one of the two protagonists of HBO's Deadwood as well as Deadwood: The Movie, along with Seth Bullock. He can also be considered as an antagonist, bordering on anti-hero for the series' first season.

The Gem was one of the longest continuously-operating entertainment venues in Deadwood; however, after its demise, the Gem was referred to in the press as the “everlasting shame of Deadwood,” “a vicious institution,” and a “defiler of youth and a destroyer of home ties.”

2006年7月25日 · Al Swearengen left Iowa around 1870 and settled in Deadwood with his first wife, Nettie, and his brother Winfield sometime afterward. By 1876 Swearengen had already separated from Nettie, who had accused him of abuse.

2023年10月12日 · Nearly two months after fleeing Iowa, Al Swearengen was bludgeoned to death near his home in Denver. His body was found in a street. The notorious Deadwood figure died on November 15, 1904.

2024年1月5日 · The man posing in his buggy outside the Gem saloon/theater/brothel in Deadwood, Dakota Territory, in this circa 1878 photo is believed to be its ignominious owner, Al Swearingen. (Deadwood History, Inc.)

2024年12月31日 · Known for his larger-than-life persona, his infamous antics, and his pivotal role in the development of Deadwood, South Dakota, Al Swearengen has become an enduring symbol of the grit, determination, and complexity of the American frontier.

2009年7月11日 · Deadwood - more of the best moments with Al Swearengen.

Al Swearengen was a notorious figure in the history of the American West, known for being a saloon owner and crime boss in the mining town of Deadwood, South Dakota. How did Al Swearengen contribute to the development of Deadwood?