George L. Wade

George Leonard Wade (May 22, 1872 – November 29, 1923) was an American racecar manufacturer and entertainer who performed in vaudeville and minstrel shows.

A native of Illinois, Wade began his professional life working as an electrician for the Western Electric Company. After attending the University of Illinois, he became wealthy through a variety of business ventures, including buying, restoring, and upgrading outdated or dysfunctional electric power plants. During the late 19th and early 20th century he intermittently worked as an entertainer, becoming a famous blackface comedian. With his partner Harry Ward, he led Ward and Wade's Minstrels from 1902 until 1907. In 1908 he began a career touring nationally in vaudeville. During the last six years of his life he devoted his energies to designing and building racecars; ultimately developing the Wade Special which was driven by Harlan Fengler. He was killed in 1923 after being struck by a racecar driven by Harry Hartz.