Canada Lee

Birthday: 1907-03-03
Deathday: 1952-05-09
Birthplace: Manhattan, New York, US
Gender: Male
Owned By: Unowned

Canada Lee (born Leonard Lionel Cornelius Canegata; March 3, 1907 – May 9, 1952) was an American professional boxer and then an actor who pioneered roles for African Americans. After careers as a jockey, boxer and musician, he became an actor in the Federal Theatre Project, including the 1936 production of Macbeth adapted and directed by Orson Welles. A champion of civil rights in the 1930s and 1940s, Lee was blacklisted and died shortly before he was scheduled to appear before the House Un-American Activities Committee. He advanced the African American tradition in theatre pioneered by such actors as Paul Robeson.

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Credits

Year Title Character
1951-11-16 Cry, the Beloved Country Stephen Kumalo
1949-07-02 Lost Boundaries Lt. 'Dixie' Thompson
1947-11-11 Body and Soul Ben Chaplin
1944-01-28 Lifeboat Joe Spencer
1939-01-02 Keep Punching Speedy Joe Williams (Henry's Trainer)