Pigmeat Markham

Pigmeat Markham (April 18, 1904 - December 13, 1981) was an entertainer from the United States of America, best known as a comedian; Markham was also a singer, dancer, and actor.

Related Topics:
April 18 - 1904 - December 13 - 1981 - Entertainer - United States of America - Comedian - Singer - Dancer - Actor

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"Pigmeat" was born as Dewey Markham in Durham, North Carolina. He was sometimes creditied in movies as David "Pigmeat" Markham. Markham began his career in traveling African American music and burlesque shows. For a time he was a member of Bessie Smith's traveling review.

Related Topics:
Durham, North Carolina - Movie - African American - Burlesque - Bessie Smith

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Markham became better known in Vaudeville in the 1920s. He said he originated the Truckin' dance which became nationally popular at the start of the 1930s. In the 1940s he started making film appearances.

Related Topics:
Vaudeville - 1920s - 1930s - 1940s

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Starting in the 1950s Pigmeat Markham began appearing on television, making multiple appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show.

Related Topics:
1950s - Television - Ed Sullivan

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His Heyeah (Here) come duh judge routine became a hit comedy record in the 1960s and became a catch phrase on the Laugh-In television show, as did Pigmeat's phrase Look that up in your Funk and Wagnalls.

Related Topics:
1960s - Laugh-In - Funk and Wagnalls

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Thanks to Heyeah come duh judge, Pigmeat Markham is often seen as a forerunner of rappers.

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