Deadwood: Comparing The Lead Characters And Their Real World Counterparts

4. Solomon “Sol” Star

Wild Bill Deadwood
HBO

Unlike his on screen presentation, Solomon "Sol" Star, was one of many Jews in Deadwood. In fact historical records indicate that one third of the businesses in Deadwood at the time were Jewish-run. One other minor difference about the character's backstory is that the real Sol Star was born in Bavaria, not Vienna.

Just as in the series, Star and Bullock became friends and business partners in Helena, Montana and came to Deadwood to set up a hardware store to cash in on the Black Hills gold rush. Another spot where the series differs from history is Star's long term relationship with Trixie, who by the way is an amalgam of many "Tricksies" who were in that line of work in Deadwood.

Of course recording a relationship with a "lady of the evening" for posterity would probably not be something a respectable businessman and politician of the late 19th century would do, even one in a rowdy place like Deadwood. History records that Solomon Star never married. He did, just as in the series, have great success in business. Star and Bullock expanded their hardware store, purchased interests in mines, and even started a ranch outside town.

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Trevor Lane is a writer (obviously), podcaster, and occasional stand-up comic. As the Chief Operating Officer at Man Tools Media he writes, hosts, and produces the Man Tools Podcast. He loves sci-fi, western, and action TV and movies and is ecstatic to write about those very things here at WhatCulture.