Paul Robeson Overview:

Legendary actor, Paul Robeson, was born Paul LeRoy Bustill Robeson on Apr 9, 1898 in Princeton, NJ. Robeson died at the age of 77 on Jan 23, 1976 in Philadelphia, PA .

MINI BIO:

Black American singer and actor with magnificent bass-baritone voice that seemed to come from somewhere near his boots. Made a number of indelible film appearances in the 1930s, mostly as laborers becoming kings of far-off lands, and became famous for his rendition of Ol' Man River, but his Communist-influenced political views hampered his later career. Died following a stroke (and a long period of ill-health).

(Source: available at Amazon Quinlan's Film Stars).

HONORS and AWARDS:

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He was honored with one star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the category of Motion Pictures. Robeson was never nominated for an Academy Award.

BlogHub Articles:

, Happy Birthday! Born April 9; 1898-1976

By C. S. Williams on Apr 9, 2014 From Classic Film Aficionados

had a big voice, was an actor of ‘Bigger than Life’ roles, a performer of unique intensity, with a passion that easily communicated?to the movie-goer, the emotions and the ranges of Robeson’s emotions, thereby gifting the viewer with an experience that few actors, befo... Read full article


, Happy Birthday! Born April 9; 1898-1976

By C. S. Williams on Apr 9, 2014 From Classic Film Aficionados

had a big voice, was an actor of ‘Bigger than Life’ roles, a performer of unique intensity, with a passion that easily communicated?to the movie-goer, the emotions and the ranges of Robeson’s emotions, thereby gifting the viewer with an experience that few actors, befo... Read full article


, Happy Birthday! Born April 9; 1898-1976

By C. S. Williams on Apr 9, 2014 From Classic Film Aficionados

had a big voice, was an actor of ‘Bigger than Life’ roles, a performer of unique intensity, with a passion that easily communicated?to the movie-goer, the emotions and the ranges of Robeson’s emotions, thereby gifting the viewer with an experience that few actors, befo... Read full article


Monday Serenade:

By KC on Feb 22, 2010 From Classic Movies

Though I like the second film version of Show Boat (1936), the rest of the movie tends to melt away every time I see sing Ol' Man River. The combination of his rich, uplifting voice and James Whale's stylized direction could make this number a distinctive short on its own. ... Read full article


The Immensely Gifted

By KC on Feb 4, 2010 From Classic Movies

It is no exaggeration to say that was one of the most remarkable humans to ever live. He was intellectual, athletic, and handsome, with a rich bass-baritone voice and a joyful, intoxicating charisma. Robeson seemed able to conquer any arena. As an honor student on scholarship to Rutger... Read full article


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Paul Robeson Quotes:

Allan Quartermaine: Who are you?
Umbopa: I'm a man who looks for diamonds and hangs about your camp. That's what YOU said!


Brutus Jones: They's some things I don't got to be told. I can see 'em in folks' eyes.


Brutus Jones: Ain't talking big what makes a man big, s'long as he makes folks believe it?


read more quotes from Paul Robeson...



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Paul Robeson on the
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Paul Robeson Facts
Pictured on a 37¢ USA commemorative postage stamp in the Black Heritage series, issued 20 January 2004.

In 1942, said he wouldn't make any more films until there were better roles for blacks.

Although he changed the lyrics of "Ol' Man River" in 1938 to reflect his own personal and political views, and although the recordings he made of the song after 1938 use those altered lyrics, Robeson always sang the song as originally written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II in the stage productions of "Show Boat" in which he appeared, as well as in the 1936 film version (with the exception of the word 'niggers", which, in the film, was changed to "darkies").

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