Ernest Whitman facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ernest Whitman
Ernest Whitman as "Bill" with Amanda Randolph in the title role of The Beulah Show on radio (1953)
Born	Ernest Whitman (1893-02-21)February 21, 1893 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. U.S.
Died	August 5, 1954(1954-08-05) (aged 61) Hollywood, California, U.S.
Other names	Ernest R. Whitman
Occupation	Actor

Ernest Whitman (born February 21, 1893 – died August 5, 1954) was a talented American actor. He performed on both the stage and in movies. Sometimes, in plays on Broadway, he was known as Ernest R. Whitman.

Early Life

Ernest Whitman was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He went to school at the Tuskegee Institute. In 1907, he became a minister. He also took part in Chautauquas, which were popular traveling shows with lectures and entertainment. This led him to become an entertainer in vaudeville, a type of theater with many different acts.

Acting Career

Whitman started his acting career in Purcell, Oklahoma. He performed in many stage plays, including The Last Mile. He also sang in a touring show called Lucky Sambo in 1927.

Movies and Radio

Ernest Whitman appeared in many films. Some of his well-known movies include The Green Pastures (1936), Jesse James (1939), and Gone With the Wind (1939). He also acted in Road to Zanzibar (1941), Cabin in the Sky (1943), and Stormy Weather (1943). His last movie was The Sun Shines Bright in 1953.

On the radio, Whitman hosted a show called Jubilee during World War II. This show was for African-American troops and featured many African-American entertainers. He also played the character Awful on The Gibson Family. Later, he became well-known for playing Bill Jackson on the radio and TV show Beulah.

Broadway Performances

Whitman as Vincent Jackson in the Broadway play, The Last Mile, 1930.

Ernest Whitman performed in several plays on Broadway, which is the highest level of theater in the United States.

He was sometimes listed as Ernest Whitman, and other times as Ernest R. Whitman. Some of his Broadway roles included:

• The Last Mile (1930)
• Harlem (1929)
• Savage Rhythm (1931)
• Bloodstream (1932)
• John Brown (1934)

Film Appearances

Death

Ernest Whitman passed away at his home in Hollywood, California, on August 5, 1954. He was 61 years old and died from a liver problem.

See also

In Spanish: Ernest Whitman para niños