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Leigh Whipper

Known For
Acting

Known Credits
24

Gender
Male

Birthday
October 29, 1876 (149 years old)

Place of Birth
Charleston, South Carolina, USA

Leigh Whipper

Biography

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Leigh Rollin Whipper (October 29, 1876 – July 26, 1975) was an American actor on the stage and in motion pictures. He was the first African American to join the Actors' Equity Association, and one of the founders of the Negro Actors Guild of America. He is best known for creating the role of Crooks in the original Broadway production of Of Mice and Men, which he reprised in the 1939 film version.

Educated at Howard University Law School, he left in 1895 and never practiced as a lawyer. Without any dramatic training, he made his first Broadway appearance in Georgia Minstrels. His first film role was in the 1920 silent film The Symbol of the Unconquered.

During the Second World War, Whipper was a member of the steering committee of Negro Division the Hollywood Victory Committee.

Known For

Acting

2026Once Upon a Time in Harlemas Self (archival footage)
1957The Young Don't Cryas Doosy
1955The Shrikeas Mr. Carlisle
1947Untamed Furyas Uncle Gabe
1946Undercurrentas George
1946Young Widowas Nate (Uncredited)
1946Young Widowas Nate (uncredited)
1945The Negro Sailoras Editor
1945The Hidden Eyeas Alistair
1944Dark Watersas Office Custodian (uncredited)
1943Happy Landas Old Ben (uncredited)
1943Mission to Moscowas Haile Selassie (uncredited)
1943The Ox-Bow Incidentas Sparks (uncredited)
1942White Cargoas Jim Fish
1942Heart of the Golden Westas Rango
1942The Vanishing Virginianas Uncle Josh
1941Bahama Passageas Morales
1941King of the Zombiesas Momba
1941Road to Zanzibaras Scarface
1941Virginiaas Ezechial
1941Robin Hood of the Pecosas Kezeye
1939Of Mice and Menas Crooks
1920The Symbol of the Unconqueredas Tugi - an Indian Fakir
1920Within Our Gatesas

Production