Leigh R. Whipper
Leigh Rollin Whipper (October 29, 1876 – July 26, 1975) was an American actor on the stage and in motion pictures. He was the first African American to join the Actors' Equity Association, and one of the founders of the Negro Actors Guild of America. He created the role of Crooks in the original Broadway production of Of Mice and Men, which he reprised in the 1939 film version. |
Birth and Death Data: Born Charleston (largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina), Died July 26, 1975 (New York City (most populous city in the United States) )
Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1926
Roles Represented in DAHR: songwriter
Notes: Leigh Rollin Whipper
= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.
Recordings
| Company | Matrix No. | Size | First Recording Date | Title | Primary Performer | Description | Role | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OKeh | 74310 | 10-in. | 8/23/1926 | Look out, Mr. Jazz | OKeh Melody Stars ; Clarence Todd | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | songwriter | |
| OKeh | 74311 | 10-in. | 8/23/1926 | A glass of beer, a hot dog, and you | OKeh Melody Stars ; Clarence Todd | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | songwriter | |
| OKeh | 74335 | 10-in. | 9/5/1926 | A glass of beer, a hot dog, and you | Sara Martin ; Clarence Williams | Female vocal solo, with piano | songwriter | |
| OKeh | 74336 | 10-in. | 9/5/1926 | Look out, Mr. Jazz | Sara Martin ; Clarence Williams | Female vocal solo, with piano | songwriter | |
| OKeh | 74436 | 10-in. | 12/5/1926 | Yes, I've been cheatin' | Butterbeans & Susie ; Eddie Heywood Sr. | Female-male vocal duet, with piano | songwriter |
Citation
Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Whipper, Leigh R.," accessed December 27, 2025, http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109559.
Whipper, Leigh R.. (2025). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved December 27, 2025, from http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109559.
"Whipper, Leigh R.." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2025. Web. 27 December 2025.
DAHR Persistent Identifier
Linked Open Data Sources
LCNAR: Whipper, Leigh R. (Leigh Rollin), 1877-1975 - https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no93013894
Wikidata: Leigh Whipper - https://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q1815058
VIAF: https://viaf.org/viaf/43870072
Fast: https://id.worldcat.org/fast/322444 - https://id.worldcat.org/fast/322444
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