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Frank 'Sugar Chile' Robinson

  • Actor
  • Soundtrack
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
Born Frankie Robinson in Detroit, the youngest of seven children born to Clarence and Elizabeth Robinson. He was nicknamed "Sugar Chile" by his mother. Although neither parent was a musician, Frankie began playing piano by ear at the age of two. At the age of three, he won a talent show at the Paradise Theatre in Detroit. By six, he was playing guest shots with Lionel Hampton's band and the Frankie Carle Orchestra. In 1946, he made a cameo in the Van Johnson film "No Leave, No Love" performing "Caldonia". In March 1946, Robinson performed at a gala in Washington DC for President Truman. He played four numbers including "Caldonia" during which he shouted out, "How'm I Doin', Mr President?" This became a popular catch-phrase. In 1947, he was the subject of a seven-minute film entitled "Frankie 'Sugar Chile' Robinson." In 1949, Robinson made his first recordings for the Capitol label. His first two releases were "Numbers Boogie", which made it to number four on the Billboard R&B charts, and "Caldonia" which reached number 14. Robinson toured and recorded until 1952, when he requested that he be allowed to return to school. He graduated from Northern High School at age 15. He went on to attend Olivet College in Michigan, and graduated with a degree in psychology in 1960.
BornDecember 28, 1938
BornDecember 28, 1938
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
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Known for:

Van Johnson, Xavier Cugat, Pat Kirkwood, Guy Lombardo, and Keenan Wynn in Amor harhateillä (1946)
Amor harhateillä
5.7
  • Boy Piano Player(as Franck "Sugarchile" Robinson)
  • 1946
The Colgate Comedy Hour (1950)
The Colgate Comedy Hour
7.8
TV Series
  • Self(as Frank Robinson)
'Sugar Chile' Robinson, Billie Holiday, Count Basie and His Sextet
6.7
Short
  • Self
  • 1951
Texaco Star Theatre Starring Milton Berle (1948)
Texaco Star Theatre Starring Milton Berle
7.7
TV Series
  • Self
  • Self - Pianist

Credits

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IMDbPro

Actor

  • Van Johnson, Xavier Cugat, Pat Kirkwood, Guy Lombardo, and Keenan Wynn in Amor harhateillä (1946)
    Amor harhateillä
    5.7
    • Boy Piano Player (as Franck "Sugarchile" Robinson)
    • 1946

Soundtrack

  • Van Johnson, Xavier Cugat, Pat Kirkwood, Guy Lombardo, and Keenan Wynn in Amor harhateillä (1946)
    Amor harhateillä
    5.7
    • performer: "Caldonia"
    • 1946

Personal details

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  • Alternative names
    • Franck "Sugarchile" Robinson
  • Height
    • 1.35 m
  • Born
    • December 28, 1938
    • Detroit, Michigan, USA

Did you know

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  • Trivia
    In 1948, the American Federation of Musicians gave special consent for Robinson to be granted membership, making him the youngest ever member of the AFM at that time.
  • Quotes
    I had to make a decision about whether to keep entertaining or to get an education. And that's what I did.

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