Timmie Rogers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Timmie Rogers
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| Born |
Timothy Louis Ancrum
July 4, 1915 |
| Died | December 17, 2006 (aged 91) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Timmie Rodgers |
| Occupation | Comedian, singer-songwriter, bandleader, actor |
| Years active | 1927–1993 |
| Children | 2 |
Timmie Rogers (born Timothy Louis Ancrum July 4, 1915 – December 17, 2006) was an American comedian, singer, and actor. He was also a bandleader and wrote songs. Timmie Rogers was on many TV shows in the 1960s and 1970s.
He was one of the first Black comedians who could talk directly to white audiences. Before Rogers, Black comedians usually worked in groups and only talked to each other. They also had to play a character. Famous white comedians like Bob Hope and Jack Benny could just be themselves. Timmie Rogers performed alone. He always dressed nicely, often in a tuxedo, and never wore blackface makeup.
His jokes were clean and often about current events or important issues. In 1993, Rogers joined the National Comedy Hall of Fame. Many people call him the Jackie Robinson of comedy. This is because he helped open doors for other Black performers like Dick Gregory and Bill Cosby.
As a singer, he often played a special 10-string instrument called a tiple. He even performed a song with Redd Foxx on the Sanford and Son TV show in 1975.
Early Life and Start in Show Business
Timmie Rogers was born in Detroit to Lillian Ancrum. When he was only eight years old, he started earning money by dancing on the street. At age 12, Rogers left home. He found a job washing dishes on a boat. There, he learned many languages from the cooks. He eventually spoke nine different languages! Rogers later wrote and recorded songs in French and German.
Later, he cleaned ashtrays at a local dance hall. He watched the performers and was sometimes invited to dance on stage before the main acts. By 1932, Rogers was part of a popular dance team called Timmie & Freddie. They performed on the vaudeville circuit, which was a type of traveling show with different acts.
In 1944, the dance team split up. At this time, Black people across the country were speaking up for their civil rights. Rogers decided to perform on his own, doing things his way.
Career Highlights
Timmie Rogers became known as the "Unknown Pioneer of (Black) Comedy." He strongly believed in not wearing blackface makeup during his comedy acts. He stuck to this belief. His famous catchphrase was "Oh Yeah!" and he used it for over 50 years.
In 1949, Rogers starred in Uptown Jubilee on CBS Television. This was the first main evening TV show in the U.S. that featured Black performers.
He also often appeared as a guest on The Jackie Gleason Show for more than 12 years. He continued to work with Jackie Gleason for 30 years. Rogers later said that Gleason helped him become famous across the country.
Timmie Rogers also wrote music. He wrote "If You Can’t Smile and Say Yes," a song that Nat King Cole recorded. He also wrote songs for other famous singers like Carmen McRae and Sarah Vaughan. In the late 1950s, he recorded songs like "Back to School Again" and "I Love Ya, I Love Ya, I Love Ya."
Later Years and Passing
On December 17, 2006, Timmie Rogers passed away in Los Angeles. He was 91 years old. He was survived by his two daughters, five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
