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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W XYZ ALL NAMES
V.
VERYWAYNE, PERCY (also cited as Verwayen)
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W XYZ ALL NAMES
V.
VERYWAYNE, PERCY (also cited as Verwayen)
BIOGRAPHY
Percy Verwayne (1895-1968) was the original Sportin’ Life in the 1927 Broadway DuBose and Dorothy Heyward play, “Porgy,” the precursor to the iconic 1935 George Gershwin opera “Porgy and Bess.” Mr. Verwayne was born in British Guiana (now Guyana) and appeared on Broadway, on radio and in several films for at least thirty years, but he was best known in his day for originating the role of Sportin’ Life.
He was also a former athlete and that came in handy in 1941 when he was robbed of 75 cents by a very unwise 18-year-old within two blocks of his Harlem home at 400 West 128th street. The incident was gleefully reported in the New York Amsterdam News on August 9, 1941 under the headline, “Mugger Gets Wrong Victim.” According to the paper, when the mugger tried to run away, “Verwayne chased him for a block, grabbed him by the seat of his trousers and socked him into submission. When the cops arrived, Verwayne was in complete control of the situation.” (via vintageglamour.tumblr.com) |
ALTERNATE BIOGRAPHY
Percy Verwayen is another unsung acting talent of stage and screen. In his time, he was considered the best of the Black actors. He never appeared in any Hollywood movies though he grace the Black Cinema screen many times with his exceptional acting and became one of the top leading men. His screen image and talent was in the same fashion of Edward G. Robinson, James Cagney, and Humphrey Bogart. He was a "bad boy" you love to hate, tough as nails, and he had a charm and magnetic attraction to him, but he was never too big to fall, and when he would he would beg and plea with his life like a true thespian. On stage or screen, he always gave a good show, he was a force to be reckoned with, appearing in top stage shows like, "Black Boy," "Porgy," "Singin The Blues," and other hits alongside legends like Paul Robeson. He was tough and confident and it always showed in his work, some say he had the temperament and drive of John Barrymore. Because of his light complexion and Spanish features he was turned down for many parts and not given the same opportunities as a black actor with more color in his skin like Paul Robeson...(via geni.com)
Percy Verwayen is another unsung acting talent of stage and screen. In his time, he was considered the best of the Black actors. He never appeared in any Hollywood movies though he grace the Black Cinema screen many times with his exceptional acting and became one of the top leading men. His screen image and talent was in the same fashion of Edward G. Robinson, James Cagney, and Humphrey Bogart. He was a "bad boy" you love to hate, tough as nails, and he had a charm and magnetic attraction to him, but he was never too big to fall, and when he would he would beg and plea with his life like a true thespian. On stage or screen, he always gave a good show, he was a force to be reckoned with, appearing in top stage shows like, "Black Boy," "Porgy," "Singin The Blues," and other hits alongside legends like Paul Robeson. He was tough and confident and it always showed in his work, some say he had the temperament and drive of John Barrymore. Because of his light complexion and Spanish features he was turned down for many parts and not given the same opportunities as a black actor with more color in his skin like Paul Robeson...(via geni.com)
DOCUMENTS
TIMELINE
FILM/VIDEO RECORDINGS
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PHOTOGRAPHS
Found on Newspapers.com
Found on Newspapers.com
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Found on Newspapers.com
Found on Newspapers.com
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Found on Newspapers.com
Found on Newspapers.com
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Found on Newspapers.com
Found on Newspapers.com
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VIDEOS
ADDITIONAL SOURCES
Percy Verwayne Broadway Roles (via Playbill.com)
Percy Verwayne Fim Roles (via Imdb.com)
Percy Verwayne Broadway Roles (via Playbill.com)
Percy Verwayne Fim Roles (via Imdb.com)