Fredi Washington
Despite Black actors’ participation throughout theater history, many actors’ unions, including the Actors’ Equity Association, did not initially admit Black performers. Dissatisfied with this lack of support, as well as limited available roles, actress Fredi Washington, along with W.C. Handy, Paul Robeson, and Ethel Waters, founded the Negro Actors Guild of America in 1937. The guild supported the development of Black actors, especially those early in their careers, and published a quarterly journal called The Negro Actor.
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Fredi Washington
Despite Black actors’ participation throughout theater history, many actors’ unions, including the Actors’ Equity Association, did not initially admit Black performers. Dissatisfied with this lack of support, as well as limited available roles, actress Fredi Washington, along with W.C. Handy, Paul Robeson, and Ethel Waters, founded the Negro Actors Guild of America in 1937. The guild supported the development of Black actors, especially those early in their careers, and published a quarterly journal called The Negro Actor.
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Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington
1899-1974Musician
Bandleader Ellington served as one of several Vice Presidents of the Negro Actors Guild in its early years, and performed with Washington in the jazz short Black and Tan (1929).
Paul Robeson
1898-1976Actor
Robeson, who had worked with Washington several times, including in the Broadway play The Black Boy (1926) and the film The Emperor Jones (1933), co-founded the Negro Actors Guild and served as a Vice President.
Ethel Waters
1896-1977Singer
Waters was a co-founder of the Negro Actors Guild, serving as “1st Vice President” in the 1940s, and would later work with Washington on stage in Mamba’s Daughters (1939).
Bill “Bojangles” Robinson
1878-1949Dancer
Robinson appeared in the melodrama One Mile from Heaven (1937) with Washington, and was named the guild’s first honorary president thanks to his efforts in fundraising through benefit concerts.
Sammy Davis Jr.
1925-1990Singer
Davis was a member of the Negro Actors Guild, which also honored him with a farewell party at the closing of his hit Broadway show Mr. Wonderful in 1957.
Frederick O’Neal
1905-1992Actor
Actor and activist O’Neal was Chairman of the guild’s Executive Board in the 1940s, and also served as its President from 1960 to 1964.
Lena Horne
1917-2010Actor
Horne was one of the most famous Black actresses of her time, as well as a member of the Negro Actors Guild.
Hattie McDaniel
1893-1952Actor
McDaniel had been allowed to join the Screen Actors Guild in 1934, but also became a member of the Negro Actors Guild in the 1940s to support (and receive support from) other Black actors.
Arthur "Dooley" Wilson
1886-1953Actor
Actor Wilson served as one of the guild’s Vice Presidents in the 1940s, and was an active member on its Board of Directors.
Katherine Dunham
1909-2006Dancer
Dancer and choreographer Dunham served as one of the guild’s Vice Presidents in the 1940s.