Jeni Le Gon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jeni Le Gon
in 2009 at Masters of Lindy Hop and Tap, Century Ballroom, Seattle, Washington
Born	Jennie Ligon (1916-08-16)August 16, 1916 Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Died	December 7, 2012(2012-12-07) (aged 96) Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Occupation	Dancer, actor
Spouse(s)	Phil Moore

Jeni Le Gon and Gene Tierney in Sundown (1941)

Jeni LeGon (born Jennie Ligon; August 14, 1916 – December 7, 2012) was an amazing American dancer, dance teacher, and actress. She was one of the first African-American women to become a solo star in tap dance.

Early Life and First Steps

Jeni LeGon was born Jennie Ligon in Chicago, Illinois. Her father, Hector Ligon, was a chef and worked on trains. Her mother, Harriet Bell Ligon, was a homemaker.

Jeni grew up in the Black Belt area of Chicago. She finished elementary school in 1928. When she was just 13, she tried out for the chorus line of famous band leader Count Basie. She got the job! After that, she went to Englewood High School for one year.

A Dazzling Dance Career

Starting Out and Moving to Hollywood

In 1931, Jeni LeGon began performing across the southern United States. She danced with the famous Whitman Sisters company. In 1933, she and her half-sister, Willa Mae Lane, formed a song-and-dance team called LeGon and Lane.

They got a chance to go to Detroit and work with nightclub owner Leonard Reed. While there, they received an offer to travel to Hollywood. They thought they would perform with composer Shelton Brooks. But when they arrived, they found out there was no job.

Jeni then heard about auditions for a film at Fox Studios. She tried out and won a part! This led to her appearing in dance numbers in several musical movies.

Breaking Barriers in Film

In 1935, Jeni signed with RKO Pictures. She became the dancing partner of the legendary Bill Robinson in the film Hooray for Love. She also performed in a London show called At Home Abroad in 1935. She took over dance numbers that famous performers like Ethel Waters had done.

While in Hollywood, Jeni worked with many stars, including Ethel Waters and Al Jolson. She danced with both Fred Astaire and Bill "Bojangles" Robinson. This made her the first African-American woman to dance with them on film!

MGM offered her a long-term contract. This was a huge deal, as she was the first African-American woman to get such an opportunity. However, the contract was canceled soon after.

Stage and Television Appearances

On Broadway, Jeni LeGon played Jenny in Black Rhythm (1936). She also played Lily Ann in Early to Bed (1943). In 1947, she starred in a musical movie with an all-Black cast called Hi-De-Ho. She played Minnie the moocher, the girlfriend of Cab Calloway's character.

Jeni danced at many famous clubs and theaters. These included the Apollo, Cafe de Paris, Howard, Paramount, and Lincoln Theaters. In the early 1950s, she appeared on the TV show Amos 'n' Andy.

Teaching and Later Years

Jeni LeGon owned and ran the Jeni LeGon Dance Studio in Los Angeles. She also managed the Drama & Dance Playhouse there. In 1969, she moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. There, she taught tap and pointe dance.

In 1999, the National Film Board of Canada released a documentary film about her life. It was called Jeni Le Gon: Living in a Great Big Way. She also appeared in the film Bones (2001).

Personal Life

In 1943, Jeni LeGon married Phil Moore. He was a talented composer, conductor, and pianist. Together, they wrote the song "The Sping." This song was sung by Lena Horne in the movie Panama Hattie.

Awards and Honors

Jeni LeGon received many honors for her amazing career.

• In 1987, she was added to the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame.
• In 2002, she was inducted into the Tap Dance Hall of Fame.
• Oklahoma City University gave her an honorary doctorate degree in 2002.

Jeni LeGon's important papers and records are kept at the Smithsonian Institution.

Jeni LeGon in Books

In 2016, author Zadie Smith wrote a novel called Swing Time. In the book, two young women discover Jeni LeGon. They watch old film musicals and see her perform in Ali Baba Goes to Town (1937). One character, Tracey, becomes fascinated by Jeni's dance moves.

Filmography

See also

In Spanish: Jeni Le Gon para niños