Leigh Whipper

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.[1] 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.

Leigh Whipper as the Crab Man in Porgy (1927)

Biography

Whipper was the son of African-American educator, author and activist Frances Rollin Whipper and a nephew of abolitionist William Whipper, attorney William J. Whipper. Educated at Howard University Law School, he left in 1895 and never practiced as a lawyer.

Without any dramatic training, Whipper made his acting debut in a Philadelphia stock theater production of Uncle Tom's Cabin in 1899.[2] He made his first Broadway appearance in Georgia Minstrels. His first film role was in the 1920 silent film The Symbol of the Unconquered.

A portrait of Whipper entitled "Dans un Café à Paris (Leigh Whipper)" by artist Loïs Mailou Jones, oil on canvas is currently on display at the Brooklyn Museum[3]. Quoted from the museum webpage: "The artist’s portrayal of a pensive Whipper answered Alain Locke’s call for black artists to create ennobling representations of African Americans."

During the Second World War, Whipper was a member of the steering committee of Negro Division the Hollywood Victory Committee.[4]

Leigh's daughter, Leighla Frances Whipper, was a Calypso songwriter and music publisher.[5]

Partial filmography

References
  1. The New York Public Library Archives & Manuscripts. "Leigh Rollin Whipper papers". Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  2. Barclay, Dolores (May 25, 1974). "Acting pioneer 'not retired' at 97". Green Bay Press-Gazette. Wisconsin, Green Bay. Associated Press. p. 110. Retrieved 23 August 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. "Brooklyn Museum". www.brooklynmuseum.org. Retrieved 2019-12-12.
  4. Watts, Jill (2006). Hattie McDaniel: Black Ambition, White Hollywood. Amistad. p. 209.
  5. Lewis, Carole (February 11, 2010). "Leighla Frances Whipper". Black Past.



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