Biography for
Peg Leg Bates More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

11 October 1907, Fountain Inn, South Carolina, USA

Date of Death

8 December 1998

Birth Name

Clayton Bates

Mini Biography

Clayton Bates was born & raised in Fountain Inn, South Carolina in the early 1900s. His parents were sharecroppers. When he was a young child, he would dance for nickels in front of local street audiences. In 1919, Clayton took a job in a farm factory to help his family survive, yet it only lasted a few days when Fate struck. He lost his left leg to a cotton gin accident at age 12. Clayton subsequently taught himself to tap dance with a makeshift wooden peg leg from whence he took his nickname.

From the 1920s to the 1940s, Peg Leg entertained audiences with his unique brand of tap-dancing, traveling all around the U.S. on the Vaudeville circuit. By this time, he had established himself as a world famous tap dancer, even performing for the Queen of England. He was landing roles in movies and on TV, especially 'The Ed Sullivan Show' aka 'Toast of the Town'. He was one of the most popular and regular guests of that legendary show, with over 20 fabulous appearances.

In 1951, it was time to settle down and have the world come to him, so Peg Leg and his wife, Alice purchased property in the world renowned New York Catskill Mountains, Borscht Belt of Jewish Resorts. They established "Peg Leg Bates Country Club" and this made him the first black resort owner in the U.S., during a time when racial segregation was still in force.

Countless famous musicians, dancers, and performers came to the Resort to entertain throughout the 40 years of the Resort's operation. This included: Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy Davis Jr., Sidney Poitier, Mel Tormé Nat 'King' Cole, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, and Louis Armstrong. In its heyday, it was the summer hot spot and the performance hall was always a packed house.

In 1987, Peg Leg suffered the loss of his beloved wife, Alice. Shortly thereafter, he gave up the business and was in the care of Melody, his only daughter and her husband.

Peg Leg met filmmaker Tasciotti in 1997 and along with Gregory Hines they had been planning out his biography during what was to be the last days of Peg Leg's life, as well as Hines who died in 2003. Peg Leg traveled to perform at a fund-raiser in 1998, in his hometown of Fountain Inn, South Carolina, and then collapsed on his way to church the next day, December 8 at age 91.

A section of Route 209 in New York is named in honor of Peg Leg Bates (from Spring Glen to Kingston, the former state capitol). Peter Appleseed went on to renovate Peg Leg's original house on the former resort property and establish the site on the National Historic Registry.

Peg Leg is remembered by those who knew him, as a great humanitarian and a kind, compassionate man. There are two definitive documentaries of his life, Hudson West Productions "The Dancing Man" (featuring host, Gregory Hines) and 'Silver Spring Studios [us]' "The Legacy of Peg Leg Bates". There is one children's book about him, "Knockin' on Wood" by 'Lynne Barasch' 2006.

An annual award is given in his name to outstanding achievement in dance. The first was awarded to 'James Buster Brown'. Today, Peg Leg remains the Entertainment Giant in tap dancing and inspires many with his memorable style.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Myster Ey

Spouse

'Alice '

(1944 - 1987) (her death) 1 child

Trade Mark

His wooden peg leg

Trivia

Tap dancer

Lost his left leg just below the knee in a cotton mill accident at the age of 12. He thereafter became know as "Pegleg".

Whereas tap dancers have two feet to come down upon, he had only one foot, and the metal tip of his artificial leg. He had to rethink his method of tap dancing.

Inducted into the International Tap Dance Hall of Fame in 2005.

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