Actor Info | Most Pooh

Billy McClain

Born: October 12, 1866
Died: January 19, 1950
in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

William C. ("Billy") McClain (12 October 1866 – 19 January 1950) was an African-American acrobat, comedian and actor who starred in minstrel shows before World War I. He wrote, produced and directed several major stage and outdoor extravaganzas, and wrote a number of popular songs. He was influential in extending the range of minstrel shows far beyond the traditional conventions of the time, giving them appeal to much wider audiences. He toured in the USA, Canada, Australia and Europe. Later he promoted boxing and played several minor roles in movies.

In 1931 McClain moved to Los Angeles and obtained a position with the Pasadena police department as a physical trainer. In August 1931 he appeared on stage for the first time in 21 years in a benefit performance, playing the two leading roles from Uncle Tom - Uncle Tom himself and the slave owner Simon Legree. While working for the police department he acted in several films. These included Nagana (1933), starring Melvyn Douglas, the short Rhapsody in Black, where he sang four "southern melodies", and Dimples, starring Shirley Temple. Between 1933 and 1946 McClain appeared in many other film roles, although often these were minor parts and he was not credited. He played a servant, butler, footman, cook and janitor. His last role was as "Uncle Ben" in Vincente Minnelli's suspense drama Undercurrent (1946). His name was misspelled in the end credits as "McLain."

Billy McClain died on 19 January 1950 when the trailer he was sleeping in caught fire. McClain was one of the pioneers in introducing "vaudevillized minstrelsy", which opened a wider range of styles on the eve of the ragtime era. Despite his great ability, he was handicapped by prejudice against African Americans. Thus he was reportedly arrested in Kansas City in 1902 for the offense of "having too much jewelry for a colored man." He may have failed to change from his stage clothes to street clothes before leaving the theater. During his lifetime he neither claimed nor received full recognition for his achievements.

Movies for Billy McClain...

Title: Undercurrent

Character: Uncle Ben

Released: November 11, 1946

Type: Movie

Click for Details

After a rapid engagement, a dowdy daughter of a chemist weds an industrialist, knowing little of his family or past. He transforms her into an elegant society wife, but becomes enraged whenever she asks about Michael, his mysterious long-lost brother.

Title: Espionage Agent

Character: Manservant at Ball

Released: September 30, 1939

Type: Movie

Click for Details

When Barry Corvall discovers that his new bride is a possible enemy agent, he resigns from the diplomatic service to go undercover to route out an espionage ring planning to destroy American industrial capability.

Title: Devil's Island

Character: Governor's Servant

Released: January 7, 1939

Type: Movie

Click for Details

A French doctor sentenced for treason performs brain surgery on the prison commandant's daughter.

Title: Kentucky

Character: Zeke

Released: December 30, 1938

Type: Movie

Click for Details

Young lovers Jack and Sally are from families that compete to send horses to the 1938 Kentucky Derby, but during the Civil War, her family sided with the South while his sided with the North--and her Uncle Peter will have nothing to do with Jack's family.

Title: Black Aces

Character: Cook

Released: September 4, 1937

Type: Movie

Click for Details

When Len Stoddard wins Ted Ames ranch in a poker game he sends his brother Jake along with Ted to take over the ranch. When Jake is found murdered he offers a reward for the capture of Ted who now is believed to be a member of the Black Aces gang. Ted finds the probable location of the gang's hideout and sets out to clear himself.