Bill Robinson

Bill "Bojangles" Robinson (May 25, 1878 ? November 25, 1949) was a pioneer and pre-eminent African-American tap dance performer.

Film Career

Whether he was performing in a small town theater or a grand Broadway playhouse, Robinson gave his best and his national popularity became such that he was invited by studio executive Darryl F. Zanuck to come to Hollywood to appear in motion pictures, albeit limited to stereotypical roles. In all, he appeared in more than a dozen films but is best remembered for a number of 1930s film performances with the child star Shirley Temple including director Allan Dwan's very successful 1938 production of Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm.

Related Topics:
Darryl F. Zanuck - Hollywood - 1930s - Shirley Temple - Allan Dwan - Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm

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Partial filmography:

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• Harlem Is Heaven (1932)
• The Little Colonel (1935)
• The Littlest Rebel (1935)
• In Old Kentucky (1935)
• Hooray For Love (1935)
• One Mile From Heaven (1937)
• Cotton Club Revue (1938)
• Stormy Weather (1943)