Leigh Whipper

Born: 1876-10-29

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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Within Our Gates

as uncredited
Released: 1920-01-12

Abandoned by her fiancé, an educated black woman with a traumatizing past dedicates herself to...

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The Ox-Bow Incident

as Sparks (uncredited)
Released: 1943-03-11

A posse discovers a trio of men they suspect of murder and cow theft and are split between...

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Road to Zanzibar

as Scarface
Released: 1941-04-11

Stranded in Africa, Chuck and his pal Fearless have comic versions of jungle adventures,...

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Undercurrent

as George
Released: 1946-11-11

After a rapid engagement, a dowdy daughter of a chemist weds an industrialist, knowing little of...

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Mission to Moscow

as Haile Selassie (uncredited)
Released: 1943-04-29

Ambassador Joseph Davies is sent by FDR to Russia to learn about the Soviet system and returns...

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Of Mice and Men

as Crooks
Released: 1939-12-24

An intellectually disabled giant and his level headed guardian find work at a sadistic cowboy's...

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The Hidden Eye

as Alistair
Released: 1945-08-31

A perfumed message provides the only clue for a blind detective bent on clearing a man accused...

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King of the Zombies

as Momba
Released: 1941-05-14

During World War II, a small plane somewhere over the Caribbean runs low on fuel and is blown...

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The Shrike

as Mr. Carlisle
Released: 1955-06-16

Film version of Joseph Kramm's Pulitzer Prize play, about a Broadway playwright driven to a...

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White Cargo

as Jim Fish
Released: 1942-12-12

In Africa early in World War II, a British rubber plantation executive reminisces about his...

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Heart of the Golden West

as Rango
Released: 1942-11-16

Lambert owns the trucking line that ships cattle to market. When he raises his rates Roy decides...

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Happy Land

as Old Ben (uncredited)
Released: 1943-11-10

An Iowa drugstore owner becomes embittered when his son is killed in World War II. The druggist...

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Young Widow

as Nate (Uncredited)
Released: 1946-03-01

A young bride tries to rebuild her life after she learns her husband has been killed in the war.

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The Vanishing Virginian

as Uncle Josh
Released: 1942-02-01

The perineal District Attorney and conservative southern patriarch cherishes the old ways and...

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Robin Hood of the Pecos

as Kezeye
Released: 1941-01-14

Robin Hood of the Pecos is a 1941 American film starring Roy Rogers and directed by Joseph Kane....

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Untamed Fury

as Uncle Gabe
Released: 1947-03-22

The swamp folk of the deep Okefenokee live a brutal primitive life untouched by modern times -...

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The Young Don't Cry

as Doosy
Released: 1957-07-26

An orphaned teen gets involved with some chain-gang convicts.

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Virginia

as Ezechial
Released: 1941-01-28

Post-Civil War romantic drama about defeated Southerners, starring Madeleine Carroll and Fred...

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Bahama Passage

as Morales
Released: 1941-12-10

A girl, Carol whom the audience is quickly informed "has been around," and her father arrive to...

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The Negro Sailor

as Editor
Released: 1945-12-13

US Navy produced short stars Joel Fluellen as a draftee from his civilian job at a black...

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The Symbol of the Unconquered

as Tugi - an Indian Fakir
Released: 1920-11-28

Eve Mason, a white-passing black woman, moves to a remote cottage she inherited from her late...

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