Lorenzo Fuller facts for kids

Lorenzo Dow Fuller Jr. (born March 22, 1919 – died January 8, 2011) was an amazing American singer, musician, actor, and musical director. He was part of the first casts for famous Broadway shows like Finian's Rainbow and Kiss Me, Kate. He also made history on radio and TV. On his radio show Van and the Genie, he was the first African-American man to star alongside a white woman. His TV show Musical Miniatures was also the first to feature a black performer as the main host.

Early Life and Talents

Lorenzo Fuller was born in Stockton, Kansas. His dad, L.D. Fuller Sr., was a successful newspaper publisher. He also started the Fuller Concert Company. This company put on shows all over the Midwest, and even in Canada and Mexico.

By the time Lorenzo was eight years old, he was already performing. He played the harp on local radio shows. He also performed with his family's touring group.

Studying Music

When he was 15, Lorenzo began studying opera and classical music. He went to the University of Kansas. While he was a student, he had his own monthly radio show on KFKU. He was the first black performer to sing with the Kansas University symphony orchestra. People even called him "the Paul Robeson of KU." After he graduated, he performed a solo concert for more than 2,000 people.

Broadway and Beyond

In 1945, Lorenzo moved to New York City. He continued his studies at the famous Juilliard School. He was very talented and could sing in many different languages. He also played several musical instruments. He quickly became well-known in the city.

Famous Broadway Shows

In 1947, Lorenzo was part of the original Broadway cast of Finian's Rainbow. The next year, he played the character Paul in the very first production of Kiss Me, Kate. His original performance of Cole Porter's song "Too Darn Hot" was recorded. He performed it with tap dancers Eddie Sledge and Fred Davis. This recording was released in 1949.

Lorenzo was also a successful musical arranger. He worked with the famous composer George Gershwin. He was an assistant musical director and performer in the opera Porgy and Bess. He even toured internationally with the show. He traveled as an American cultural ambassador, sharing American culture with other countries.

Pioneering on Radio and TV

Starting in 1947, Lorenzo Fuller hosted a regular 15-minute show on NBC. He worked for NBC until 1952. He was a musical director and writer for shows like Young Broadway and Musical Miniatures.

Breaking Barriers

On Musical Miniatures, Lorenzo Fuller made history. He was the first African American to have his own television show. This was several years before Nat King Cole had his show. Lorenzo also appeared on, and won, the Arthur Godfrey Talent Show.

In 1950, his radio show Van and the Genie aired on station WPIX. This show was groundbreaking. It was the first time a black man appeared on equal terms with a white woman, Rosamond Vance Kaufman. The two even marched together in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Later Life and Legacy

Later in his career, Lorenzo became a highly respected musical coach. He taught many Broadway performers, including Jeannette Adair and Juanita Hall. He continued to perform sometimes at cultural events.

In 2003, his hometown of Stockton, Kansas, held a special event to honor him. Lorenzo Fuller passed away in New York City in 2011, at the age of 91.