From 1933 until 1946-47 Margot Webb and Harold Norton performed on the Afro-American vaudeville circuits of night clubs and theatres in the Northeast and the Midwest. Known professionally as” Norton and Margot,” they were one of the few Afro-American ballroom. This publicity photo was signed “To the sweetest Aunt in the world, My Marion, Lovingly Margot, 1934”.
The Black Jean Harlow | 1921
Portrait of an African American vaudeville entertainer, name unknown, sporting a platinum blonde wig. Circa 1921. African American Vernacular Photography courtesy of Black History Album.
Sammy Davis Jr. | Hollywood Icons & Legend Series
Sammy Davis Jr. reading the latest copy of Photography Magazine in between publicity photo shoots in downtown Manhattan, New York City, NY. 1963.
Primary a dancer and singer, Samuel George “Sammy” Davis Jr. ( 1925 – 1990) started as a child vaudevillian who became known for his performances on Broadway. Davis later went on to become a world famous recording artist, television and film star. Film credits include Ocean’s 11, co-staring with Peter Lawford, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Joey Bishop; Mr Wonderful (1956), and Golden Boy (1964). In 1966, he was even given his own TV variety show, The Sammy Davis Jr. Show. Davis was also a member of Frank Sinatra’s “Rat Pack”.
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The Kings of Comedy on Flickr.
Photograph of Bert Williams (left) and George Walker, ca. 1898.
Bert Williams (1874-1922) was one of the preeminent entertainers of the Vaudeville era and one of the most popular comedians (of any race) at the time. He became the first black American to take a lead role on the Broadway stage, as well as the only black performer to sign with Ziegfeld Follies (1910-1918). Fellow vaudevillian W.C. Fields, who appeared in productions with Williams, described him as “the funniest man I ever saw – and the saddest man I ever knew.”
Williams met George Walker in San Francisco in 1893 and the two formed what became the most successful comedy team of their time. They staged several vaudeville shows and full musical theater productions, including Senegambian Carnival (1897), The Policy Players (1899), The Sons of Ham (1900), In Dahomey (1902)…their biggest hit, Abyssinia (1906), and Bandana Land (1907). When George took ill and retired in 1908, Bert continued working and shared his earnings with him until he died in 1911.
Williams was also one of the most prolific black performers on recordings, making around 80 recordings from 1901-22. Indeed, his first recording sessions with George Walker for the Victor Company in 1901 are considered the first recordings by black performers for a major recording company.
Williams died in New York City on March 4, 1922 after contracting pneumonia while on tour.
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Full-length female portrait of an African American showgirl wearing an unusual art deco inspired dress and headpiece with intricate pearl bead work. Photograph by Addison N. Scurlock, Washington D.C., 1920s.
Citation: Scurlock Studio Records, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution.
Kentucky Trio | 1900s on Flickr.
Photograph of Kentucky Trio, African American vaudeville musicians, undated (circa 1900s)
Yale Collection of American Literature, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
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Saidie-Sellyna | 1911 on Flickr.
Publicity photo of African American dancer Saidie Sellyna (Thompson), circa 1911. Black and white photographic print, 5.375 x 3.5 in.
The Sullivan Family papers, Anacostia Community Museum Archives, Smithsonian Institution, gift of Savina Martin, Dominga Martin and Donna Akiba Sullivan Harper.
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![Lillyn Brown (1885–1969)], vaudeville and musical theater entertainer, ca. 1920 Photographer: Earl-Broady Studios, Schenectady, New York. The Daniel Cowin Collection of African American Vernacular Photography
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