Lorenzo Tucker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lorenzo Tucker
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Lorenzo Tucker, star of the early black cinema
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| Born | June 27, 1907 |
| Died | September 19, 1986 (aged 79) |
| Other names | The "Black Valentino" |
| Years active | 1927-1947 |
| Spouse(s) | Pauline Segura |
Lorenzo Tucker (born June 27, 1907 – died August 19, 1986) was a talented American actor. He was famous on both stage and screen. People called him the "Black Valentino" because of his good looks. He often played the romantic hero in early movies made for Black audiences. Many of these films were directed by Oscar Micheaux.
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Becoming an Actor
Lorenzo Tucker was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He began acting while studying at Temple University. Early in his career, he also toured across the country. He even performed with the famous singer Bessie Smith.
Starring in Films
From 1926 to 1946, Tucker appeared in 18 films by Oscar Micheaux. Some of his well-known movies include When Men Betray (1928) and Wages of Sin (1929). He also starred in Easy Street (1930) and Veiled Aristocrats (1932).
He earned the nickname "Black Valentino" because he was handsome. He often played the charming lead character in these early Black films. Tucker found it interesting because he thought Rudolph Valentino actually had darker skin than he did. He became a big movie star for Black Americans. Leading Black newspapers often wrote about him.
One notable film was Veiled Aristocrats. In this movie, Tucker played a Black man who was able to pass as white. He tried to convince his sister to do the same. Tucker also had a small role with Paul Robeson in the 1933 film The Emperor Jones.
Success on Stage
Lorenzo Tucker was also a very successful stage actor. He performed on Broadway in plays like The Constant Sinner and Ol' Man Satan. He faced challenges in theater due to racial prejudice. Despite these difficulties, he continued to pursue his passion for acting.
Later Life and Career
During World War II, Tucker served in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He worked as a tail gunner, which is a position in the back of an airplane. After the war, he continued his acting career. He appeared in Louis Jordan's film Reet, Petite and Gone. In the early 1950s, he performed in a London play called Anna Lucasta.
Later, Tucker worked in a medical office in New York City. He moved to Hollywood permanently in 1977. He kept looking for acting roles there. To support himself, he took a job as a nighttime security guard. This allowed him to have his days free for auditions.
Lorenzo Tucker passed away from lung cancer in 1986 at age 79. He died at his home in Hollywood, California. His wife, Pauline Segura Tucker, survived him. His funeral was held at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Hollywood.
Honors and Recognition
Lorenzo Tucker received several honors for his contributions to film and theater.
- In 1974, he was inducted into the Black Film Makers Hall of Fame.
- In 1981, he received the Audelco Recognition Award.
His legacy was even mentioned on the popular TV show The Cosby Show. In an episode, the character Clair Huxtable joked about a stranger having "hair like Lorenzo Tucker." This showed how well-known and admired he was.
