Gee Gee James facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gee Gee James
|
|
|---|---|
| Born |
Regina Theodora James
circa 1903 |
| Died | 1971 Philadelphia
|
| Education | J. W. Hallahan Catholic Girls High School |
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (165 cm) |
| Signature | |
 |
|
Regina Theodora James, known to many as Gee Gee James (born around 1902 or 1903, died 1971), was a talented African American actress and singer. She was famous for her work in radio and theater during the 1930s and 1940s. At the time, many African American actors faced challenges and were often given similar roles, such as domestic workers. Gee Gee James, however, showed great skill and versatility in her performances.
Contents
Gee Gee James's Acting Career
After finishing high school, Gee Gee James began her career singing with Claude Hopkins' band. This was just the start of her journey into the entertainment world.
Early Theater and Radio Roles
In 1930, Gee Gee James was part of the cast in Will Morrissey's play Hot Rhythm. She acted alongside George Wiltshire in this production.
She also became a familiar voice on the radio. She played the character Tillie on the popular show The O'Neills.
Becoming a Radio Star
In 1935, a writer named Fay M. Jackson described Gee Gee James's growing fame. Jackson noted that on the radio, Gee Gee was known as the cheerful Mignonette. Mignonette was a bright character in The Gibson Family, which was one of radio's first musical comedy shows.
Off the air, Gee Gee James was just as lively. She started her career as a chorus girl, then became a soubrette (a lively, often mischievous female character). Radio listeners first heard her on a local station in Philadelphia. Soon after, she joined The Gibson Family for her first national radio show. Gee Gee was determined to become a top star. She had a great voice, was persistent, and had a good sense of humor, all of which helped her reach her goals.
Notable Radio Performances
On May 12, 1935, an episode of The Gibson Family featured a special event: a wedding between Gee Gee's character, Mignonette, and Theophilus. Theophilus was played by another African American actor, Ernest Whitman. Hall Johnson's choir performed at this fictional wedding.
In 1937, Gee Gee James performed comedy sketches with Eddie Green on Louis Armstrong's radio program. This showed her talent for both acting and comedy.
By 1938, Gee Gee James was widely recognized. A profile written about her highlighted her role as Tulip on the show Hilltop House. The article called her "one of the best known radio actresses on the air today." It also praised her, saying, "Gee Gee not only acts with the best, but sings equally as well."
In 1939, she played the main character in the radio show Her Honor, Nancy James. She also lent her voice to three episodes of The Jack Benny Program between 1940 and 1941.
Stage Plays and Broadway
Gee Gee James was part of the original cast for several important plays:
- Michael Drops In (1938): She played a character named Hattie.
- No Time for Comedy (1939): She acted as Clementine.
- Three's a Family (1943): She had a role as "Another Maid."
- A Streetcar Named Desire (1947): She played a "Negro Woman" in this famous play.
Gee Gee James's Family Life
In March 1939, a news article reported that Gee Gee James was married to George Wiltshire. They had a six-year-old daughter who was also called Gee Gee.
Later, Elva Diane Green, who was the daughter of actor Eddie Green, shared that Gee Gee James later married actor Ernest Whitman.
