People, Locations, Episodes

Theresa Merritt, Stage, Musicals, and TV actress born

Theresa Merritt was born on this date in 1924. She was an African American actress.

She was born in Emporia, VA, and probably best recognized from her role as “Mama Eloise” on the TV sitcom “That’s My Mama.” Merritt’s talents found success on TV, film, and the stage. In 1985, she received a Tony Award nomination for her performance in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” on Broadway. Her films included “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” and “All That Jazz,” and she played “Aunt Em” in the musical “The Wiz.”

Nipsey Russell, Comedian born

Nipsey Russell was born on this date in 1924. He was an African American dancer and comedian.

Born in Atlanta, he was most widely known as a guest panelist on many 1970s and 1980s game shows, such as Match Game, To Tell the Truth, and Pyramid. One of the early Black stand-up comedians who found success with mainstream audiences, Russell started performing professionally in 1931 at the age of 6, when he was featured as a singing- dancing master of ceremonies for a children’s troupe in Atlanta organized by Eddie Heywood, Sr.

Matthew Beard Jr., Child Actor born.

*Matthew Beard Jr. was born on this date in 1925. He was a Black child actor. Beard was born near Los Angeles, California, to Matthew Beard Sr. and Johnnie Mae Beard (née Clay). His father was the founding pastor of the Beloved Church of God in Christ in Los Angeles. Beard previously played baby parts […]

Theodor Michael, Economist born

*Theodor Michael was born on this date in1925. He is an Afro-German economist, editor, lecturer and actor.

Virginia Capers, Actress, and Singer born

*Virginia Capers was born on this date in 1925. She was an African American actress and singer.

Sammy Davis Jr., Entertainer born

This date marks the birth of Sammy Davis, Jr,. in 1925. He was an African American impressionist, actor, singer, and dancer.

William Greaves, Documentary Filmmaker born

*William Greaves was born on this date in 1926. He was a Black documentary filmmaker and a pioneer of African American filmmaking. William Greaves was born in Harlem in New York City. He was one of seven children of taxi driver and minister Garfield Greaves and the former Emily Muir. After graduating from the elite […]

Earle Hyman, Actor born

*Earle Hyman was born on this date in 1926. He was a Black and Native American stage and television actor. George Earle Hyman was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. He was the son of a son of Zachariah and Maria Lilly (maiden name, Plummer). His Native heritage included (Tuscarora, Haleiwa-Saponi/Nottoway).  His life was a […]

Sidney Poitier, Actor, and Bahamian Ambassador born

*Sidney Poitier was born on this date in 1927. He is an African American actor.

Harry Belafonte, Entertainer, and Activist born

Harry Belafonte was born on this date in 1927. He is an African American entertainer and activist.

Although Harold George Belafonte, Jr., was born in New York City, his parents were from the Caribbean. His father, Harold George Belafonte, Sr., was from Martinique and was a cook in the British Navy. His mother, Malvine Belafonte, was from Jamaica. She worked as a housekeeper and dressmaker. When Belafonte was eight years old, his mother sent his brother Dennis and him to boarding school in Jamaica. He stayed there until high school, when the family moved back to New York City.

Brock Peters, Actor born

Brock Peters, an African American actor, was born on this date in 1927.

Eartha Kitt, Stage, and Screen Singer born

On this date in 1928, Eartha Kitt was born. She was an African American cabaret singer, stage and screen performer, known for her seductive stage presence and her “sex kitten” style.

Dolly Rathebe, South African Entertainer, and Columnist born

*Dolly Rathebe was born on this date in 1928. She was a Black South African musician, columnist, and actress. Dolly Rathebe was born in Randfontein, South Africa but grew up in Sophiatown, which she describes as having been “a wonderful place.” She was discovered around 1948 after singing at a picnic in Johannesburg. A talent […]

Roxie Roker, Actress born

Roxie Roker was born on this date in 1929. She was an African American actress and children’s advocate.

She was born in Miami to Albert Roker, who had emigrated from the Bahamas, and Bessie Roker. Roxie Roker attended Howard University and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1952. While at Howard, she was an active member in the Howard Players and was featured in several productions. She was also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

Mel Stewart, Actor, and Teacher born

*Mel Stewart was born on this date in 1929. He was an African American musician, teacher and actor.

From Cleveland, Ohio Milton Stewart was also an excellent jazz saxophonist. While in New York he played with the likes of John Coltrane and others. Other music-based endeavors include his voice narrating Scenes in the City on Charles Mingus’ album “New York Sketchbook.” As an actor, Broadway is where he Cut His Teeth before starring in Langston Hughes’ Simply Heaven. From there Stewart moved to San Francisco to be in Chicago’s Second City ipmrov group “The Committee.”