Lennie Bluett (January 21, 1919 – January 1, 2016) was an American film actor, pianist, dancer and singer. His mother was a cook for Humphrey Bogart. At age 16, Bluett started playing the piano at Bogart's parties.
Lennie Bluett | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | January 21, 1919 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Died | January 1, 2016 (aged 96) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, musician |
| Years active | 1937–2014 |
He formed a harmonizing group with his friends called "Four Dreamers". Nat King Cole used to play with the band.
Bluett played a soldier in Gone With the Wind in 1939. During production of the film, the outdoor set's bathrooms were segregated with signs that said "white" and "colored," respectively, until an appalled Bluett brought this to the attention of Clark Gable, who threatened to quit the film unless the signs were taken down.
His career consisted of minor roles due to the limited opportunities for African-Americans at the time. He relocated to Vancouver in order to avoid being drafted into World War II, and returned afterwards.[1][2][3] He died on January 1, 2016, in Los Angeles. He was 96.[4]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1936 | Strike Me Pink | Dancer | Uncredited |
| 1937 | A Day at the Races | Black Singer | Uncredited |
| 1937 | Ali Baba Goes to Town | Arab | Uncredited |
| 1938 | Spirit of Youth | Dancer | Uncredited |
| 1939 | Gone With the Wind | Yankee Soldier in Shantytown / Townsperson | Uncredited |
| 1941 | The Big Store | Singer | Uncredited |
| 1942 | Born to Sing | Specialty -'Ballad for Americans' | Uncredited |
| 1942 | Star Spangled Rhythm | Dancer - 'Sharp as a Tack' Number | Uncredited |
| 1943 | Cabin in the Sky | Dancer / Jim Henry's Paradise Patron | Uncredited |
| 1943 | Stormy Weather | Dancer / Nightclub Patron | Uncredited |
| 1943 | Thank Your Lucky Stars | Dancer in 'Ice Cold Katy' Number | Uncredited |
| 1943 | I Dood It | Part of Hazel Scott's Entourage / Singer in Jericho | Uncredited |
| 1944 | Broadway Rhythm | Dancer in 'Brazilian Boogie' | Uncredited |
| 1944 | When Strangers Marry | Dancer at Big Jims | Uncredited |
| 1944 | Carolina Blues | Dancer in 'Mr. Beebe' | Uncredited |
| 1945 | Ziegfeld Follies | Dancer ('Love') | Uncredited |
| 1948 | State of the Union | Page Boy | Uncredited |
| 1949 | Mighty Joe Young | Nightclub Dancer | Uncredited |
| 1954 | A Star Is Born | Dancer - 'Born in a Trunk' Number | Uncredited |
| 1993 | La Nuit sacrée | Pianiste | (final film role) |
References
edit- ^ "Lennie Bluett: A living legend". Sentinel. May 9, 2002. Archived from the original on March 28, 2015. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
- ^ "Lennie Bluett: Very much live at 90". Jazz Times. April 27, 2009. Archived from the original on November 5, 2014. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
- ^ "Readers remember". Los Angeles Times. November 22, 1999. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
- ^ Barnes, Mike (January 16, 2016). "Lennie Bluett, a Soldier in 'Gone With the Wind,' Dies at 96". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
External links
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