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This Saturday's screen actor had a prominent role in the uber-successful play-turned-movie, "Show Boat"! Remember the song "Old Man River"? The hearty dock worker with the beautiful baritone voice? Well, that actor had a massive career - stretching across all forms of entertainment, including silent film! Distinguished readers...meet Paul Robeson.
1898 - 1976
IMDb: Paul Robeson - IMDb
Paul Leroy Robeson was born in New Jersey, the youngest of 5 children. His mother was a member of the prominent mixed-race Quaker family, the Bustills. His father had been born into slavery, but escaped the plantation as a teen and became a minister. When Paul was a toddler, his father resigned from his church due to racial tensions between his (white) financiers and his (black) congregation. The Robesons suffered a house fire a few years later, which took the life of Paul's mother.
ABOVE & BELOW: college student Paul in 1919
Eventually, Paul's father was once again behind the pulpit of a different church, and Paul was beginning to take an interest in performing. At his high school, he acted in plays and sang in the chorus - as well as excelling in many sports! In his senior year, class valedictorian Paul won a statewide academic contest, which got him a scholarship to Rutgers College in 1915. He would be only the 3rd black student enrolled at the school, and the only one attending at the time!
In spite of the racism and hostility of many white students, Paul excelled in college. He was on several athletic teams, the debating team and continued singing. In his junior year, his father suddenly became very ill, and although Paul did all he could to take care of him, he passed away. Paul finished his studies, earning several varsity letters (in multiple sports) and 4 oratorical (public speaking) wins! He was also accepted into Phi Beta Kappa, and elected class valedictorian (again)! Was there anything this man did NOT accomplish!? In his valedictory speech, he encouraged his classmates to work for equality for all Americans.
Well, then he was off to law school. After starting at NYU, he transferred to Columbia Law School in 1920. His singing was well-known in the black community, and before long his girlfriend, Eslanda "Essie" Goode, talked him into being in a play. The stage bug. Had bitten. After marrying Essie in 1921, he continued studying law, performing on stage AND playing football in the NFL! 1922 was Paul's final pro football season, and several months later, he graduated from law school.
ABOVE: advertising and shots of Paul in his roles for "Body and Soul"
The plan was to practice law. That was the plan. But Paul got understandably discouraged by the prevalent racism that he encountered as a lawyer, and he ultimately gave it up. Essie, being the head chemist at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital, was the "breadwinner" for a time - but in 1924, his theatrical career skyrocketed! Essie quit her job and became Paul's agent. Moving his career along at warp speed, in 1925 she landed Paul his first part in a silent film called "Body and Soul", a production by (guess who?) Oscar Micheaux! Paul was spectacular in his dual role, and further established his reputation as a multitalented entertainer.
Essie moved mountains in terms of Paul's career, and secured work for Paul on radio, theatre, live concerts, even a recording contract! Touring both the U.S. and Europe, the Robesons eventually bought a house in England and Paul landed the role that he would be best-known for...Joe, in the London production of the musical "Show Boat". This led to other theatrical successes for Paul - and more travel in Europe. His public praise of Stalin, the Soviet Union and yearnings for peace with them did not go over well with the U.S. government in later years, just saying.
Transitioning to sound movies wasn't a problem for Paul, as his voice was everything! He continued acting in both American and British film and theatre during the 1930's. Paul also enrolled in the School for Oriental and African Studies (through the University of London) to learn more about his African heritage. In 1936, he reprised his role of Joe for the film version of "Show Boat", giving the entire world a chance to hear his magnificent voice:
Paul retired from film in the 1940s due to racism in casting, as black people only had a handful of roles available to them, and none of them were respectful towards people of color. However, he continued performing in other venues, and became a civil rights activist for many humanitarian causes while traveling Europe and the U.S. before World War 2. But in the late 1940s, Paul (like many other celebrities) was labeled a Communist by the American government, and his civil rights organization was placed on a government "naughty list" of groups that are potential threats. To what, their white supremacy...? Paul was blacklisted in the U.S., and all of his concerts were canceled by the FBI. Back to Europe he went to perform.
Paul giving a speech in Washington DC, 1946
But Paul didn't sit back and pout - he continued advocating in Europe, even getting to speak at the Paris Peace Congress! Unfortunately, upon returning home, the State Department denied him a passport for future travel, telling him that "his frequent criticism of the treatment of blacks in the United States should not be aired in foreign countries". Gotta keep that dirty laundry a secret, dontcha know. His passport restored...in 1958. In addition, the American government launched bad publicity against him and eventually removed his recordings and films from circulation! But that STILL didn't slow down King Paul - and he continued fighting for change. Starting a small newspaper to spread the word about his passport scandal, making speeches, presenting an anti-lynching petition to the United Nations and of course, being hassled by the House Committee for Un American Activities - he was a busy man!
Paul and Essie traveled the world from 1958 - 1960, during which Paul advocated for many causes, including the oppression of the Aborigines during his time in Australia. In 1961, he suffered a mental breakdown, which his son said was from CIA mind programming, implemented by 3 of his "doctors" (whom his son Paul Jr. said were CIA contractors). In addition, Paul also suffered from extreme stress, bipolar depression, exhaustion, and the beginnings of heart and circulatory problems.
After many attempts to recover (and relapse), Paul and Essie returned to the U.S. Just a few public appearances proved too much for him, and he suffered additional health problems. When Essie passed away in 1965, Paul moved in with family on the East Coast. After complications from a stroke, Paul passed away in 1976, survived by his son.
In all honesty, there is so much that Paul Robeson accomplished, it would take us several blog entries to do him justice! We highly encourage you to read the links in our resources below for more about this amazing man. The next time you see a call to action for racial equality - remember that people like Paul were fighting for it long ago, and the time is long overdue for everyone to be considered equal.
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