Leigh Whipper
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Leigh Rollin Whipper (October 29, 1876 – July 26, 1975) was an American actor on the stage and in motion pictures. He was the first African American to join the Actors' Equity Association, and one of the founders of the Negro Actors Guild of America. He is best known for creating the role of Crooks in the original Broadway production of Of Mice and Men, which he reprised in the 1939 film version.
Educated at Howard University Law School, he left in 1895 and never practiced as a lawyer. Without any dramatic training, he made his first Broadway appearance in Georgia Minstrels. His first film role was in the 1920 silent film The Symbol of the Unconquered.
During the Second World War, Whipper was a member of the steering committee of Negro Division the Hollywood Victory Committee.
Acting
Movie
The Ox-Bow Incident
as Sparks (uncredited)
1943
Movie
Within Our Gates
1920
Movie
Of Mice and Men
as Crooks
1939
Movie
King of the Zombies
as Momba
1941
Movie
Undercurrent
as George
1946
Movie
Road to Zanzibar
as Scarface
1941
Movie
Mission to Moscow
as Haile Selassie (uncredited)
1943
Movie
The Symbol of the Unconquered
as Tugi - an Indian Fakir
1920
Movie
Young Widow
as Nate (Uncredited)
1946
Movie
Young Widow
as Nate (uncredited)
1946
Movie
White Cargo
as Jim Fish
1942
Movie
The Hidden Eye
as Alistair
1945
Movie
The Young Don't Cry
as Doosy
1957
Movie
Heart of the Golden West
as Rango
1942
Movie
Happy Land
as Old Ben (uncredited)
1943
Movie
The Vanishing Virginian
as Uncle Josh
1942
Movie
Bahama Passage
as Morales
1941
Movie
The Shrike
as Mr. Carlisle
1955
Movie
Robin Hood of the Pecos
as Kezeye
1941
Movie
Untamed Fury
as Uncle Gabe
1947
Movie
Virginia
as Ezechial
1941
Movie
The Negro Sailor
as Editor
1945
Movie
Once Upon a Time in Harlem
as Self (archival footage)
2026