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Leigh Whipper

Leigh Whipper

Birthday: 1876-10-29 | Place of Birth: 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.

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Known For

Acting

Year
Title

Role

1946
Undercurrent

as    George

1942
White Cargo

as    Jim Fish

1942
Heart of the Golden West

as    Rango

1941
Robin Hood of the Pecos

as    Kezeye

1941
King of the Zombies

as    Momba

1941
Bahama Passage

as    Morales

1941
Road to Zanzibar

as    Scarface