Paul Robeson Picture
STARmeter
SEE RANK
Up 2,767 this week

Paul Robeson (1898–1976)

Soundtrack | Actor

This handsome, eloquent and highly charismatic actor became one of the foremost interpreters of Eugene O'Neill's plays and one of the most treasured names in song during the first half of the twentieth century. He also courted disdain and public controversy for most of his career as a staunch Cold War-era advocate for human rights... See full bio »

Born:

Paul LeRoy Bustill Robeson
in Princeton, New Jersey, USA

Died:

(age 77) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Paul Robeson, c. 1922. Lena Horne with Paul Robeson and Henry Wallace circa 1940s
4 photos | 3 videos | 38 news articles »

Quick Links:

Related News

'American Idol': Jermaine Jones is a 'Superstar'
1 February 2012 6:34 PM, PST | Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Interview: Tasha Smith, Michael Jai White of ‘For Better or Worse’ on TBS
25 November 2011 1:14 AM, PST | HollywoodChicago.com
Bhupen Hazarika obituary
6 November 2011 4:06 PM, PST | The Guardian - Film News
See all 38 related articles »
Oscar Nominations    Photos    more »
Create a list  »

Related Lists

image of name
Best voices
a list of 54 people by mariagal95 created 2 months ago
 
image of name
Greatest Black Actors
a list of 170 people by nonso1990 created 30 Sep 2010
 
image of name
Greatest Actors
a list of 588 people by Paul Hamell created 28 Sep 2010
 
image of name
Best Speaking Voices (from Youngest To Oldest)
a list of 42 people by Dr_Tortoise created 7 months ago
 
See all 10 related lists »

Do you have a demo reel?

Add it to your IMDbPage

Francine Locke Film Reel -- Family Law (Best Actress, Gideon), Stealing Home (Best Supporting Actress-nom.) 168 Project, True Tale Monster (Albert P. Weisman Award), The Discarded (2011 Feature Release).

Francine Locke Film Reel

My Demo Reel -- Includes clips from GLORY DAZE, COMMUNITY and horror film URBAN EXPLORER.

My Demo Reel

My Demo Reel -- No description provided.

My Demo Reel

David H. Lawrence, XVII - Drama -- On-camera drama reel featuring David H. Lawrence XVII, in scenes from Heroes, The Unit, LOST, and more

David H. Lawrence, XVII - Drama

Tim Bell - SAG Stuntman -- No description provided.

Tim Bell - SAG Stuntman


Find out more at IMDbPro »

Connect with IMDb

2 wins See more awards »

Known For


Show Show all  | 
Show by:
Edit

Filmography

Hide HideSoundtrack (15 titles)
2009 Johnny Mercer: The Dream's on Me (TV documentary) (performer: "My Old Kentucky Home, Good-Night", "Ol' Man River")
 
2008 Jonathan Meades - Magnetic North (TV series documentary)
– Poland to Finland (2008) (performer: "National Anthem of the Soviet Union" - uncredited)
 
2007 Profit Motive and the Whispering Wind (documentary) (performer: "Joe Hill")
 
2004 AFI's 100 Years... 100 Songs: America's Greatest Music in the Movies (TV documentary) (performer: "Ol' Man River")
 
1979 Killer of Sheep (performer: "My Curly Haired Baby", "The House I Live in", "Going Home")
 
1975 Brother Can You Spare a Dime (documentary) (performer: "Water Boy" - uncredited)
 
1942 Tales of Manhattan (performer: "Glory Days")
 
1938 Canciones de Madrid (documentary short) (performer: "La Internacional" The Internationale, "La Joven Guardia")
 
1937 Jericho (performer: "My Way", "Deep Desert", "Shortnin' Bread", "Silent Night" partial)
 
1937 King Solomon's Mines (performer: "Walk! Walk!", "Climbin' Up", "Kukuwana")
 
1937 Big Fella (performer: "Lazin'", "When I Get to Heaven", "Roll Up Sailor", "Oh, My Baby", "River Steals My Folks from Me")
 
1936 Song of Freedom (performer: "Sleepy River", "Lonely Road", "Stepping Stones", "Death Scene" - uncredited / "Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho" - uncredited, "Lonely Road", "Song of Freedom")
 
1936 Show Boat (performer: "Ol' Man River" 1927 - uncredited, "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man" 1927 - uncredited, "Ah Still Suits Me" 1936 - uncredited / "Ol' Man River" 1927 - uncredited)
 
1935 Sanders of the River (performer: "The Song of the Spear", "Lion Song", "My Little Black Dove")
 
1933 The Emperor Jones (performer: "Now Let Me Fly", "Water Boy", "I'm Travelin'", "Daniel")
 
Show ShowActor (13 titles)
1942 Tales of Manhattan
Luke
 
1942 Native Land
Narrator/Vocalist (voice)
 
1940 The Proud Valley
David Goliath
 
1937 Jericho
Cpl. Jericho Jackson
 
1937 King Solomon's Mines
Umbopa
 
1937 Big Fella
Joe
 
1936 Song of Freedom
John 'Johnny' Zinga
 
1936 Show Boat
Joe
 
1935 Sanders of the River
Bosambo
 
1933 The Emperor Jones
Brutus Jones
 
1930 Borderline
Pete Varond, a Negro
 
1926/II Camille (short)
Alexandre Dumas fils
 
1925 Body and Soul
Rev. Isaiah T. Jenkins/His brother Sylvester
 
Show ShowSelf (7 titles)
1975 Black Shadows on the Silver Screen (TV documentary)
Himself (archival footage) (uncredited)
 
1960 Spectacular (TV series)
Himself-host
– The Paul Robeson Show (1960) … Himself-host
 
1959 Unser Sandmännchen (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 4 August 1959 (1959) … Himself
 
1959 Monitor (TV series documentary)
Himself / Othello
– Episode dated 12 April 1959 (1959) … Himself / Othello
 
1958 Val Parnell's Sunday Night at the London Palladium (TV series)
Himself - Top Of The Bill
– Episode #4.3 (1958) … Himself - Top Of The Bill
 
1954 Das Lied der Ströme (documentary)
Voice of Singer
 
1938 Canciones de Madrid (documentary short)
 
Show ShowArchive Footage (23 titles)
2009 Johnny Mercer: The Dream's on Me (TV documentary)
Himself
 
2007 Pete Seeger: The Power of Song (documentary)
Himself
 
2007 Brush with Life: The Art of Being Edward Biberman (documentary)
Himself
 
2007 Our Paul: Remembering Paul Robeson (video)
Himself
 
2004 Broadway: The American Musical (TV series documentary)
 
2004 The Ninth (TV documentary)
Himself (uncredited)
 
2004 AFI's 100 Years... 100 Songs: America's Greatest Music in the Movies (TV documentary)
Joe
 
2004 The South Bank Show (TV series documentary)
 
2004 TV in Black: The First Fifty Years (video documentary)
 
2003 Great Performances (TV series)
 
2001 Freedom Highway: Songs that Shaped a Century (documentary)
Himself
 
1999 American Masters (TV series documentary)
 
1998 Small Steps, Big Strides: The Black Experience in Hollywood (TV documentary)
Himself
 
1998 Cold War (TV mini-series documentary)
 
1998 Scandalize My Name: Stories from the Blacklist (documentary)
Himself
 
1991 People's Gala Concert (documentary)
Himself (speaking in Russian) (uncredited)
 
1990 That's Black Entertainment (documentary)
Himself
 
1989 The Show Boat Story (TV documentary)
Joe (clip from 1936 film of 'Show Boat') (uncredited)
 
1981 Musical Comedy Tonight II (TV movie)
Joe
 
1979 Paul Robeson: Tribute to an Artist (documentary short)
Himself
 
1975 Brother Can You Spare a Dime (documentary)
 
1971 Film Night (TV series)
 
1939 Land of Liberty
Joe (edited from: Show Boat)
 

Related Videos

King Solomon's Mines -- White hunter Allan Quartermain and his enigmatic guide help a young Irish woman locate her missing father in unexplored Darkest Africa. Song of Freedom -- John "Johnny" Zinga's singing talent is discovered and he becomes and opera singer. He later realizes he has roots back to an African village and he is their king. Sanders of the River -- British District Officer in Nigeria in the 1930's rules his area strictly but justly, and struggles with gun-runners and slavers with the aid of a loyal native chief.
Edit

Personal Details

Other Works:

(4/7/59) Stage: Appeared (as "Othello") in William Shakespeare's "Othello" at the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre in Stratford, England, with Mary Ure, Sam Wanamaker, Albert Finney, Ian Holm, Angela Baddeley, Vanessa Redgrave and Diana Rigg in the cast. Tony Richardson was director. See more »

Publicity Listings:

2 Biographical Movies  | 12 Print Biographies  | 16 Articles  | 2 Magazine Cover Photos  | See more »

Height:

6' 3" (1.91 m)
Edit

Did You Know?

Personal Quote:

I shall take my voice wherever there are those who want to hear the melody of freedom or the words that might inspire hope and courage in the face of fear. My weapons are peaceful, for it is only by peace that peace can be attained. The song of freedom must prevail. See more »

Trivia:

Inducted into the National College Football Hall of Fame. See more »

Trademark:

The song "Ol' Man River" See more »

Nickname:

Robey See more »

Star Sign:

Aries