Scatman Crothers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Scatman Crothers
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Crothers performing in 1960
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| Born |
Benjamin Sherman Crothers
May 23, 1910 Terre Haute, Indiana, U.S.
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| Died | November 22, 1986 (aged 76) Van Nuys, California, U.S.
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| Resting place | Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Hollywood Hills, California |
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| Years active | 1932–1986 |
| Spouse(s) |
Helen Sullivan
(m. 1937) |
Benjamin Sherman Crothers (born May 23, 1910 – died November 22, 1986), known as Scatman Crothers, was a talented American actor and musician. He was famous for his unique voice and acting skills. Many people remember him as Louie the Garbage Man from the TV show Chico and the Man. He also played Dick Hallorann in the scary movie The Shining (1980).
Scatman Crothers was also a very busy voice actor. He gave his voice to many beloved cartoon characters. These included Meadowlark Lemon in the Harlem Globetrotters cartoon. He was also Jazz the Autobot in The Transformers TV show and movie. Kids also loved his voice as the main character in Hong Kong Phooey and Scat Cat in The Aristocats (1970).
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Music Career of Scatman Crothers
Scatman Crothers started his music journey when he was a teenager. He taught himself to play the guitar and drums. He also loved to sing. In his hometown of Terre Haute, he played in a band. They performed in places called speakeasies.
How Scatman Got His Name
In the 1930s, Crothers formed his own band. He lived in Akron, Ohio, for eight years. During this time, he performed five days a week on a radio show. The radio station manager thought he needed a more memorable name. Crothers suggested "Scatman" because he was great at scat singing. This is a type of jazz singing where you use your voice to make sounds like musical instruments.
In 1937, he married Helen. Later, in the 1940s, they moved to California.
Performing and Recording Music
Scatman Crothers performed in many famous places. These included Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York City. He released several songs with Capitol Records. Some of his songs were "I'd Rather Be a Hummingbird" and "Blue-eyed Sally." He also released an album called Rock and Roll with Scatman Crothers. He even went on tours with famous entertainer Bob Hope to entertain soldiers.
Film and Television Career
Scatman Crothers first appeared in a movie called Meet Me at the Fair in 1953. He acted in musicals like Hello Dolly! (1969). He also appeared in The Great White Hope (1970). After that, he gave his voice to Scat Cat in the animated movie The Aristocats (1970).
Working with Jack Nicholson
Crothers worked with actor Jack Nicholson in four movies. These included The King of Marvin Gardens (1972) and The Fortune (1975). They also worked together in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975). Their most famous movie together was The Shining (1980). In The Shining, Crothers played Dick Hallorann, a kind chef with special abilities.
Voice Acting and TV Shows
Scatman Crothers was a pioneer in television. He became the first Black person to regularly appear on a Los Angeles TV show. This was on a show called Dixie Showboat.
After The Aristocats, he became very popular for his voice acting. He voiced Meadowlark Lemon in the Harlem Globetrotters cartoon. He also voiced the main character in Hong Kong Phooey. For four years, he played Louie the garbage man on the popular TV show Chico and the Man. He also made guest appearances on many other TV shows. These included Sanford and Son, Charlie's Angels, and The Love Boat. In the 1980s, he voiced the robot Jazz in The Transformers TV series.
Awards and Honors
Scatman Crothers received several important awards for his work:
- He won Best Supporting Actor from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror for The Shining (1980).
- He received a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1981.
- He also won an NAACP Image Award.
- After he passed away, he was honored by the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame in 1987.
Passing Away
Scatman Crothers passed away on November 22, 1986. He was 76 years old. He died at his home in Van Nuys, California, after battling lung cancer. He is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles.
Images for kids
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Crothers performing in 1960
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Crothers appearing with Redd Foxx on Sanford and Son
See also
In Spanish: Scatman Crothers para niños
