Lawrence Chenault facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lawrence Chenault
Poster for The Crimson Skull
Born	(1877-11-23)November 23, 1877 Mount Sterling, Kentucky, U.S.
Died	December 27, 1943 (aged 66) Indianapolis, Indiana
Occupation	Silent film actor, vaudeville performer

Lawrence Chenault (born November 23, 1877 – died December 27, 1943) was an American performer. He was famous for his work in vaudeville shows and as a silent film actor. Vaudeville was a popular type of entertainment with many different acts, like music, comedy, and dance. Silent films were movies without spoken dialogue, where actors used their expressions and body language.

Chenault appeared in about 24 films between 1920 and 1934. Many of his roles were in movies directed by Oscar Micheaux. Micheaux was a pioneering African-American filmmaker. Lawrence also had a brother, Jack Chenault, who was an actor too.

Early Life

Lawrence Chenault was born on November 23, 1877. His birthplace was Mt. Sterling, Kentucky. His parents were Mollie Mitchell and William O. Chenault.

Later, his family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. There, Lawrence became a soloist at the Allen Temple Church. In 1888, his mother married Ambrose Saunders. This made Lawrence Saunders' stepson.

Acting Career

Lawrence Chenault joined several acting groups during his life. His first group was Al G. Field's Negro Minstrels in 1895. Minstrel shows were a popular form of entertainment at the time.

One of the most famous groups he joined was the Lafayette Players. He became one of their main actors. Chenault also acted in many films from 1920 to 1934.

His first movie was The Brute in 1920. It was directed by Oscar Micheaux. Other important films he starred in include The Crimson Skull and Body and Soul. The Crimson Skull was a western movie with an all-Black cast.

Chenault was closely linked to the "race film" movement. These were movies made for African-American audiences. He often worked with Oscar Micheaux. He also worked with Reol Productions, another studio known for these films.

In Micheaux's film Body and Soul, Chenault played a role that showed the director's style. Micheaux often cast Black actors as both good and bad characters. People noticed that Chenault's acting in movies was more like his stage work with the Lafayette Players.

Later Years

In August 1928, Chenault performed on stage in Harlem. He appeared at the Harlem Alhambra theater. A few days later, on August 17, he collapsed after a show. This happened shortly after a friend of his, Johnnie Woods, passed away.

Selected Films

• The Brute (1920)
• The Symbol of the Unconquered (1920)
• The Gunsaulus Mystery (1921)
• The Crimson Skull (1921)
• A Son of Satan (1924)
• Body and Soul (1925)
• The Devil's Disciple (1926)
• The Conjure Woman (1926)
• The Scar of Shame (1927)
• The House Behind the Cedars (1927)
• Veiled Aristocrats (1932) (a sound remake of The House Behind the Cedars)
• Ten Minutes to Live (1932)