Americans tend to pronounce Louis's second name - "Lewis" - whereas Europeans tend to pronounce it "Loo-e." Curiously enough, Louis Armstrong is universally referred to as "Loo-e" Armstrong even though, in one of the lines in the lyrics to Armstrong's classic, "Hello Dolly," one can clearly hear Armstrong sing, "Hello Dolly, this is "Lewis" Dolly...".
Because Louis had been down on his luck in his last years and had died in poverty, his funeral was paid for by his most famous rival (and later friend), German boxer Max Schmeling.
Biography in "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives," Volume One, 1981-1985, pages 512-515, New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1998.
Born at 8:00 a.m. CST.
Buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Has a daughter, Jacquelin (b. 1943), with Marva.
His reign as heavyweight champion (12 years) is a boxing record that stands in all weight divisions. He fought so many bad opponents that they were dubbed the "Bum of the Month" tour.
Inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame, 1980.
Is played by Leonard Roberts, who gained nearly 20 lbs. for the role, in Joe and Max (2002) (TV).
One of his grandmothers was a Native American.
Pictured on a 29¢ US commemorative postage stamp in the Sports series, issued 22 June 1993.
Portrayed by Bernie Casey in Ring of Passion (1978) (TV) and Coley Wallace in The Joe Louis Story (1953) and Raging Bull (1980).
The Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan, is named after him.
World Heavyweight boxing champion, 1937-49. Inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, 1990.