Clarence Muse was an American actor who is best known for Shadow of a Doubt, The Black Stallion, and his pioneering work in black theater. He was born on October 14, 1889, in Baltimore, Maryland.
Personal and Family Life
Clarence Muse was married three times, first to Ophelia Belle Labertier, with whom he had two children. He later married Willabelle Burch West, and they had one child before divorcing. His final marriage was to Irene Ena Kellman in 1954, which lasted until his death in 1979. Throughout his life, Muse advocated for better roles for African-American actors in film and theater.
Career Highlights
Muse had a significant impact on the entertainment industry as he became the first African-American to star in a film. He also made history as the first black director of a Broadway show in 1943 with “Run Little Chillun”. Starting his career, he performed as an opera singer, a minstrel, and a vaudeville actor, and he was recognized as a key figure in the black theatre movement.
Death and Legacy
Clarence Muse passed away on October 13, 1979, in Perris, California, due to a cerebral hemorrhage, just a day before his 90th birthday. His contributions to cinema and theater paved the way for future generations, and he is remembered for fighting against negative stereotypes of black performers.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Love Crazy | 1941-05-23 | Robert – Hat Check Man at Party |
| Shadow of a Doubt | 1943-01-15 | Pullman Porter |
| The Black Stallion | 1979-10-13 | Snoe |
| Invisible Ghost | 1941-04-25 | Evans the Butler |
| Apache Drums | 1951-04-01 | Jehu |
| Porgy and Bess | 1959-06-24 | Peter |
| Heaven Can Wait | 1943-08-05 | Jasper (uncredited) |
| My Favorite Brunette | 1947-03-19 | Second Man on Death Row (uncredited) |
| Double Indemnity | 1944-07-06 | Man (uncredited) |
| Kid Millions | 1934-11-10 | Native (uncredited) |