Leigh Whipper

October 29, 1876 — Charleston, South Carolina, USA

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.

Movie

Of Mice and Men

1939

Movie

Undercurrent

1946

Movie

King of the Zombies

1941

Movie

Road to Zanzibar

1941

Movie

The Symbol of the Unconquered

1920

Movie

White Cargo

1942

Movie

The Young Don't Cry

1957

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Bahama Passage

1941