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Paul Robeson (1898–1976)


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 »

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Known For


Filmography

Hide HideSoundtrack (16 titles)
2011 Sing Your Song (documentary) (performer: "Ol' Man River")
 
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 Day")
 
1938 Canciones de Madrid (documentary short) (performer: "La Internacional" The Internationale, "La Joven Guardia")
 
1937 Jericho (performer: "My Way", "Deep Desert", "Shortnin' Bread" - uncredited, "Silent Night" - uncredited)
 
1937 King Solomon's Mines (performer: "Walk! Walk!", "Climbin' Up", "Kukuwana")
 
1937 Big Fella (performer: "Lazin'", "When I Get to Heaven", "Roll Up Sailorman", "Ma Curly Headed Baby", "River Steals My Folks from Me")
 
1936 Song of Freedom (performer: "Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho" - uncredited, "Sleepy River", "Lonely Road", "Stepping Stones", "Song of Freedom", "The Black Emperor" / "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, "Finale: You Are Love" 1927 - uncredited and "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)
 
1937 Big Fella
Joe
 
1936 Song of Freedom
John 'Johnny' Zinga
 
1936 Show Boat
Joe
 
1935 Sanders of the River
Bosambo
 
1930 Borderline
Pete - a Negro
 
1926/II Camille (short)
Alexandre Dumas fils
 
1925 Body and Soul
Rev. Isaiah T. Jenkins/His Brother Sylvester
 
Show ShowThanks (1 title)
2012 The Last White Knight (documentary) (in memory of)
 
Show ShowSelf (7 titles)
1999 Charlie Rose (TV series)
Himself - Guest
Episode dated 23 February 1999 (1999) … Himself - Guest
 
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 (28 titles)
2002-2013 Democracy Now! (TV series)
 
2012 Out of My Dreams: Oscar Hammerstein II (TV documentary)
Joe
 
2011 Sing Your Song (documentary)
Himself (uncredited)
 
2009 Johnny Mercer: The Dream's on Me (TV documentary)
Himself
 
2007 Pete Seeger: The Power of Song (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 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 Scandalize My Name: Stories from the Blacklist (documentary)
Himself
 
1998 Cold War (TV mini-series documentary)
 
1995 The Universal Story (TV documentary)
Joe (in 1936 'Show Boat')
 
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)
 
1985 Musical Comedy Tonight III (TV movie)
Joe
 
1979 Paul Robeson: Tribute to an Artist (documentary short)
Himself
 
1975 Brother Can You Spare a Dime (documentary)
 
1975 Black Shadows on the Silver Screen (TV documentary)
Himself (uncredited)
 
1971 Film Night (TV series)
 
1939 Land of Liberty
Joe (edited from: Show Boat)
 

Related Videos

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.
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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  | 16 Print Biographies  | 16 Articles  | 2 Magazine Cover Photos  | See more »

Height:

6' 3" (1.91 m)
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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:

According to the biography written by his son, Paul Robeson Jr., he had a long-term extramarital relationship with Fredi Washington. They appeared in one film together, The Emperor Jones. See more »

Trademark:

Powerful bass singing voice See more »

Nickname:

Robey See more »

Star Sign:

Aries