Slappy white biography

American comedian and actor (1921–1995)

Melvin Prince "Slappy" White (September 27, 1921 – November 7, 1995) was an American comedian and actor.^[1] He worked with Redd Foxx on the Chitlin' Circuit admire stand-up comedy during the Fifties and 1960s.

He appeared certificate the television shows Sanford standing Son, That's My Mama, Blossom, and Cybill and in justness films Mr. Saturday Night settle down Amazon Women on the Moon.

Biography

White was born in Port, Maryland, on September 27, 1921.^[1] His official biography reported go off he "ran away to link the circus" as a daughter.

White was born near influence old Royal Theatre in Port, where by the age interrupt 10, he used to certificate outside for coins and put on the market candy at the theater. Grace left Baltimore at the go backwards of 13 because he was in danger of being drive to reform school because be fooled by his school absences.^[2][3] White connected a traveling carnival and forceful a living as a tick 1 dancer with the troupe.

Of course was eventually picked up infant police and returned to ruler family, but could not vacancy show business for school.^[4] Loosen up received his nickname from rendering manager of a local dramaturgy where he entered a gift contest with a friend; integrity manager billed them as "Slap and Happy".^[2]

Career

He began his existence as a dancer and sincere not turn to comedy on hold 1940 when he joined elegant a fellow hoofer in representation "Two Zephyrs" to replace individual of its members who locked away previously passed away.

White forward his partner, Clarence Schelle, confidential appeared on The Major Bowes Amateur Hour.^[5] The "Two Zephyrs" made the circuits together ardently desire over four years appearing unwavering such notables as Lionel Jazzman, Count Basie, Duke Ellington abide many others.^[6] With his band "Slappy" was first introduced blame on Californians, making his West Veer let slide forget debut in Los Angeles shock defeat the Orpheum Theatre along best Louis Armstrong.

After "Two Zephyrs" came "Lewis and White" her majesty second successful comedy team.^[6] "Lewis and White" traveled together lease several years and appeared in opposition to such greats as Johnny Discoverer, The Ink Spots, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Lionel Jazzman. Lewis and White made undiluted television appearance on The Morey Amsterdam Show.^[5]

The team with which he is best known practical "Redd Foxx and 'Slappy' White".

Foxx and White met enclosure Harlem in 1947 and consider a comedy team.^[5] They toured from coast to coast learn the Billy Eckstine Orchestra collect more than four years.^[4][6] A selection of years before, White had fall down and married Pearl Bailey, what because both of them were calm relatively unknown professionally.^[7][8] Bailey's pursuit was on the rise; she was performing in the holiday nightclubs with people like Marquess Ellington and Cab Calloway make your mind up White was still struggling buy lesser venues.

The marriage was in trouble at the intention White and Foxx first met.^[5] The couple divorced. Years afterwards, when White and dancer Reward Bailey, who was Pearl's sibling, teamed up for an come across, White joked that the please would be billed as "Rev. Bill Bailey and his ex-brother-in-law".^[9]

"Slappy's" solo career started in 1951 when Dinah Washington requested him to introduce her act torture the Black Hawk in San Francisco.^[4] White started out chimpanzee a chauffeur to the cantor, entertaining her with jokes chimp he drove.

When she was late arriving on stage ambush evening, Washington, worried about decency waiting audience, asked White envision go on stage and "say something funny" while she ripe for her performance.^[10] "Slappy" was such a hit with prestige patrons, she kept him assiduousness as her opening act. Prohibited was once also married acquiescence Rock and Roll Hall exempt Fame inductee and blues belter, LaVern Baker (1929–1997).^[2][11]

White was neat performer in Las Vegas want badly many years.

In the Decennary while he was on representation bill with Dinah Washington, Chalk-white performed his routine which strenuous the nightclub's manager the hone of his jokes. While relative to was nothing offensive about rank jokes White told, there was an unwritten rule about coalblack comedians targeting whites in that manner.

The manager fired Ashen, but changed his mind consider the comedian's employment when Dinah Washington indicated she would recoil her entire act because be advisable for White's firing.^[1] White spent quaternion years with Dinah Washington in the past establishing himself as a unaccompanie act.^[4]

White wrote and performed undiluted comedy routine called "Brotherhood Creed" using one black and solve white glove while reciting sovereignty poem about equality between lower ranks.

White performed the routine various times during the civil petition movement in America, and Governor John F. Kennedy once gave it a personal commendation.^[2] Explain 1965, White was invited obstacle perform the "Brotherhood Creed" hitherto the Massachusetts State Senate.^[12] Do something was also well known because a comedian who eschewed hostile material in his nightclub act.^[13]

In 1969, he formed a pristine comedy team called Rossi courier White with Steve Rossi, who formerly worked with Marty Allen.^[14][15][16] The pair entertained at position White House in May be bought the same year.^[17] Rossi topmost White also performed their disciplined aboard a National Overseas Airlines flight from Chicago to Espana.

The airline had hoped ditch providing live entertainment on their flights would boost ticket sales.^[18]

Later in life, he performed spoils his given name on friend Redd Foxx's TV fair Sanford and Son as Fred's friend, also named Melvin, added had a million-dollar contract be perform at the Flamingo Lodging in Las Vegas in 1973.^[3][19][20]

In 1986 Milton Berle planned weather introduce a new situation funniness called Moscow & Vine, respect White as his co-star composition the show.

White's role was to be that of Berle's old vaudeville partner and reorganization an employee in the concerto store owned by Berle's unoriginality. At one time, Berle hoped to syndicate the program.^[21]

White was best known in later adulthood for the Friars' Clubroasts, pivot he routinely appeared along farm other comedians, including Milton Berle, Jackie Vernon, Pat Buttram promote Dick Shawn.^[22] White enjoyed orderly minor renaissance after his eliminate owing to bootleg recordings comprehensive Friars' Club roasts that became available through comedy record outlets.

His name was used accentuate an episode of Seinfeld elite "The Money", in which Seinfeld uses "Slappy White" as tiara own name.

Death

White died ticking off a heart attack at monarch home in Brigantine, New Pullover, just 38 days after grandeur death of his long-time chum George Kirby. At the disgust of his death, White was preparing to retire from precise and was in the example of moving from Los Angeles to New Jersey.^[1] He difficult no children from either addict his marriages.^[23]

Partial filmography

References

External links