Leigh Whipper

Biography

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.

Known For

The Ox-Bow Incident

as Sparks (uncredited)

Within Our Gates

Of Mice and Men

as Crooks

Undercurrent

as George

King of the Zombies

as Momba

Road to Zanzibar

as Scarface

Mission to Moscow

as Haile Selassie (uncredited)

The Symbol of the Unconquered

as Tugi - an Indian Fakir

Young Widow

as Nate (Uncredited)

White Cargo

as Jim Fish