Eddie Green (actor) facts for kids

Eddie Green (born August 16, 1896 – died September 19, 1950) was a talented American actor, film director, composer, and radio personality. He was especially known for his voice work on popular radio programs like Amos 'n' Andy and Duffy's Tavern. Eddie Green had a long career entertaining people on stage, in movies, and on the radio.

Early Life and Stage Shows

Eddie Green was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on August 16, 1896. Even before he was eight years old, he became known in local show business. He performed as a "boy magician" in churches around Baltimore. As he grew into his teenage years, he started working as a magician in local concert halls.

Soon, he joined the vaudeville circuit. Vaudeville was a popular type of entertainment with different acts like comedians, singers, dancers, and magicians. Eddie Green earned nine dollars a week. Early in his vaudeville career, he started doing more than just magic. He also performed in comedy stage shows. For eleven years, Green worked with a famous vaudeville company called Minsky's.

From Broadway to the Big Screen

In the late 1920s, Green left Minsky's and moved to New York City in 1929. His first big role was on Broadway in a musical called Hot Chocolates. In this show, he performed with other famous artists like James Baskett and Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong. Green also appeared in other Broadway shows such as Blackberries of 1932, A Woman's A Fool to be Clever, and The Hot Mikado. He even wrote the story for Blackberries of 1932.

When "talking pictures" (movies with sound) became popular, Green helped create what were known as "race pictures." These were films made by and for African American audiences during a time when Hollywood didn't often feature black actors in leading roles. Green was involved in many films, including Mr. Adams Bomb, Laff Jamboree, and Mantan Messes Up. Through his film work, he was noticed by famous radio personality Rudy Vallée, who encouraged him to move into radio.

Famous Songs

Eddie Green wrote many songs during his career. The most well-known song he wrote is "A Good Man Is Hard to Find."

A Voice on the Radio

Rudy Vallée often featured Eddie Green on his radio shows, including The Fleischmann's Yeast Hour, The Royal Gelatin Hour, and Sealtest Dairy Show. In the 1930s and 1940s, Green also worked with his old friend Louis Armstrong on his variety series. They would perform funny skits together with Gee Gee James.

Green appeared on other major radio programs like Maxwell House Show Boat, The Philco Radio Hall of Fame, and Jubilee. However, he became most famous when he started working on Amos 'n' Andy and Duffy's Tavern. Duffy's Tavern was so popular that it even became a hit movie. Through his work with Ed Gardner, Eddie Green became one of the most important black artists in radio.

Eddie Green passed away from a heart problem on September 19, 1950, in Los Angeles, California.