Actor. Probably best remembered as 'De Lawd' in the 1936 movie, "The Green Pastures." The son of Mack and Mamie Ingram, he was born on the riverboat 'Robert E. Lee' in Cairo, Illinois. He attended military school and worked with his father on riverboats until age 18. He left to attend Northwestern University. Majoring in medicine there, he became the first black member of the Phi Beta Kappa fraternity. After graduating with an M.D, he moved to California to begin a medical career. In a strange twist of fate, he was spotted by a Hollywood scout who persuaded him to audition for a role as a native in "Tarzan of the Apes" (1918). During this early era of film, his newfound career placed him into mostly unaccredited and stereotypical parts. However, his acting skills later propelled him into more worthy and challenging roles. His film credits included: "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" (1939), "The Thief of Bagdad" (1940), "Sahara" (1943), "God's Little Acre" (1958), "Watusi" (1959), "Elmer Gantry" (1960), and "Your Cheatin' Heart" (1964). His last screen appearance was in "Journey to Shiloh"(1968). He also guest starred in TV episodes of: "Gunsmoke," "Daktari," "Branded," "Sam Benedict," "I Spy," "Playhouse 90" and "The Bill Cosby Show." His first marriage was to actress Francine Everett from 1936 until their divorce in 1939.
Actor. Probably best remembered as 'De Lawd' in the 1936 movie, "The Green Pastures." The son of Mack and Mamie Ingram, he was born on the riverboat 'Robert E. Lee' in Cairo, Illinois. He attended military school and worked with his father on riverboats until age 18. He left to attend Northwestern University. Majoring in medicine there, he became the first black member of the Phi Beta Kappa fraternity. After graduating with an M.D, he moved to California to begin a medical career. In a strange twist of fate, he was spotted by a Hollywood scout who persuaded him to audition for a role as a native in "Tarzan of the Apes" (1918). During this early era of film, his newfound career placed him into mostly unaccredited and stereotypical parts. However, his acting skills later propelled him into more worthy and challenging roles. His film credits included: "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" (1939), "The Thief of Bagdad" (1940), "Sahara" (1943), "God's Little Acre" (1958), "Watusi" (1959), "Elmer Gantry" (1960), and "Your Cheatin' Heart" (1964). His last screen appearance was in "Journey to Shiloh"(1968). He also guest starred in TV episodes of: "Gunsmoke," "Daktari," "Branded," "Sam Benedict," "I Spy," "Playhouse 90" and "The Bill Cosby Show." His first marriage was to actress Francine Everett from 1936 until their divorce in 1939.
Bio by: RCB
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