Where did the now-famous, almost cliche in fact, pie-in-the-face gag originate? Specifically around what year and with what comedian?
Thank you in advance to all who reply 
The first thrown pie on film is usually credited to A Noise from the Deep (1913), starring Mabel Normand and Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle. Directed by “king of comedy” Mack Sennett, whose slapstick comedies widely helped to popularize this gag. There’s also a non-thrown pie-in-the-face occurrence in Mr. Flip (1909) with Ben Turpin.
Meh, 5 hours without a reply, and then it’s answered by a non-paying guest contributor. This forum sure ain’t the melting pot of knowledge anymore what it once used to be famous for.
Mack Sennett is usually credited with popularising the pie gag on film, after picking it up from Charlie Chaplain, who in turn, apparently, was encouraged to use the gag on stage while part of the Fred Karno Troup 1910-1912. Fred Karno himself is credited with thinking the gag up.
Using Google Books, you can view Encyclopedia of Comedy: For Professional Entertainers, Social Clubs …, published in 1899(although it was previously published in 1895). It was written by J. Melville Janson, who says about his qualifications
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So, it’s entirely possible that this was an old gag, from the 1870’s.
“Almost” cliche?