Lillian Yarbo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lillian Yarbo
Yarbo in Wives Under Suspicion (1938)
Born	Lillian Yarbough (1905-03-17)March 17, 1905 Washington, DC, United States
Died	June 12, 1996(1996-06-12) (aged 91) Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Other names	Credited, prior to October 8, 1928, as Billie Yarbough, and—from that point until her 1936 screen debut (at which point the stage name "Billie" would be shelved indefinitely)—as Billie Yarbo
Occupation	Actress, singer, dancer
Years active	1927–1949

Lillian "Billie" Yarbo (born March 17, 1905 – died June 12, 1996) was a talented American actress, dancer, and singer. She was known for her comedic roles on stage and in movies.

Early Life and Beginnings

Lillian Yarbough, also known as Billie, was born in Washington, D.C. She later moved to New York City, where her mother and sister also lived. It's not clear exactly when they moved or if they went together.

A Star on Stage and Screen

Becoming a Star on Stage

By her early 20s, Billie Yarbo was becoming a well-known performer. Before October 1928, she was known as Billie Yarbough. She performed in popular Harlem nightclubs and on Broadway stages. A writer for The New Yorker magazine, Charles Brackett, praised her performance in the musical Keep Shufflin'. He wrote that "Miss Billie Yarbough... must be seen."

Many people compared Yarbo's style to that of another famous performer, Josephine Baker. Audiences and critics loved her performances from the late 1920s until she started acting in movies in 1936. She was very confident in her singing, once even saying she was the "real" Billie, referring to the famous singer Billie Holiday.

Moving to the Movies

Lillian Yarbo appeared in a few films in 1936 and 1937. But it was in 1938 that she truly shined. She received great reviews and her first on-screen credit for her role in Wives Under Suspicion. She also earned praise for her performance in Frank Capra's hit movie, You Can't Take It With You. This movie was based on a popular play.

Because of her amazing performances, film critics like Earl J. Morris from the Pittsburgh Courier newspaper named Yarbo the best Black comedic actress of 1938. In 1939, she received the same award from the Sepia Theatrical Writers Guild. Even before 1938, she caught the eye of reviewers while playing a maid in Big Town Girl, even though her name wasn't listed in the credits. One reviewer noted that "a Black lassie... renders considerable comedy as the 'countess' maid."

Despite these awards and positive reviews, Yarbo often played small roles. She was usually cast as a maid, cook, or other low-skilled worker. Many of these roles were uncredited. She appeared in at least 50 films between 1936 and 1949.

Later Career and Return to Stage

In the fall of 1943, Yarbo had a chance for a big dramatic role. She was considered for a part opposite Canada Lee in a movie version of Richard Wright's book Native Son. However, the director, Orson Welles, was not available, so the film didn't happen. Soon after, a serious car crash in late 1943 kept Yarbo from working for the first half of 1944. She only appeared in one film that year. Over the next five years, she averaged only two films a year, mostly in uncredited roles.

On November 13, 1948, Yarbo returned to live performances after about 13 years away from the stage. She performed at a benefit event with Andy Kirk and His Clouds of Joy. This event helped raise money for housing and scholarships for students.

In May 1949, a newspaper reported that Billie Yarbo would perform in Alaska. It's not clear if this performance actually happened, but it would have been her last known public show. Around the same time, her final credited movie role was released. She played a "giggling, singing, four-times-married little maid" in Night Unto Night (1949). Critics said she was one of the few good things about the movie, just like in her first credited role.

Personal Life

In 2006, Cathrine Kellison, a professor from NYU, talked about how little was known about Lillian Yarbo's personal life. She noted that Yarbo appeared in many films, but her name was often not listed. Professor Kellison passed away in 2009, before more information about Yarbo's earlier career became available online.

It's interesting that news coverage of Yarbo stopped in the fall of 1949. After more than two decades in the public eye, it's possible she asked for less attention. An interview from 1928 showed that Yarbo didn't really want to be famous and valued her privacy.

Lillian Yarbo seems to have lived comfortably and privately in Seattle, Washington, after her performing career ended. She passed away there on June 12, 1996.

Stage Work

Here is a partial list of Lillian Yarbo's stage performances:

Filmography