Sunshine Sammy Morrison facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sunshine Sammy Morrison
Ernie Morrison as Sunshine Sammy in Dogs of War (1923)
Born	Ernest Fredric Morrison (1912-12-20)December 20, 1912 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Died	July 24, 1989(1989-07-24) (aged 76) Lynwood, California, U.S.
Other names	Sunshine Sammy Little Sambo Smiling Sambo
Occupation	Actor vaudeville comedian dancer band leader
Years active	1916-1974

Ernest Fredric Morrison (born December 20, 1912 – died July 24, 1989) was an American actor. He started his career as a child actor. He was also a comedian, dancer, and a performer in vaudeville shows.

He was best known by his stage name, Sunshine Sammy Morrison. He was also the only Black member of the East Side Kids acting group. He was also one of the first actors in the famous Our Gang silent film series from the 1920s.

Early Life and Becoming an Actor

Ernest Morrison was born in 1912 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He had a sister named Florence and another sister, Dorothy Morrison, who also became an actress.

He got into acting by accident. A baby actor needed for a film wouldn't stop crying. Someone on the film crew asked Ernest's father, Ernest Morrison Sr., to bring his newborn son.

Young Ernest didn't cry and did what the film crew needed. Because he was so happy and didn't cry, they called him "Sunshine." His father added "Sammy" to create his famous stage name, Sunshine Sammy.

Sunshine Sammy's Acting Career

Sunshine Sammy Morrison appeared in many short silent comedies. He acted alongside big comedians like Harold Lloyd and Snub Pollard.

In 1919, he became the first African American actor to sign a long-term contract. He signed with Hal Roach, a famous movie producer.

Joining Our Gang

In 1921, Hal Roach created the Our Gang series. This series showed child actors in natural, everyday situations. Sammy was the very first child chosen for this new show.

He left Our Gang in January 1925. His father asked for a pay raise, but Hal Roach said no. After leaving, Sammy started working in vaudeville shows. He performed on the same stage as future stars like Abbott and Costello and Jack Benny.

The East Side Kids

After touring in Australia, Morrison came back to the United States. He was then chosen by Sam Katzman to join the East Side Kids. This was a group of young actors in popular movies.

Morrison used his own experiences growing up in New York City to play his character, "Scruno." He was with the East Side Kids for three years. He often did special appearances with other cast members like Huntz Hall and Bobby Jordan.

He left the East Side Kids to work with the Step Brothers. They were a well-known Black dance group for stage and film.

Later Life and Legacy

During World War II, Sunshine Sammy was drafted into the army. After the war, he was offered a role in The Bowery Boys series. This was a new show, but he decided not to join. He later said he "didn't like the setup."

Later in his life, Morrison worked as a quality control inspector. He worked for a company that made parts for airplanes and spacecraft in Compton, California.

In 1974, he made a special guest appearance on the TV show Good Times. This was one of his last acting roles.

Ernest "Sunshine Sammy" Morrison passed away on July 24, 1989, at age 76. He is buried at Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California. Another Our Gang cast member, Buckwheat Thomas, is also buried there.

Selected Filmography

See also

In Spanish: Ernie Morrison para niños