Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Clarence Muse (October 14, 1889 – October 13, 1979) was an American actor, screenwriter, director, composer, and lawyer. He was inducted in the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame in 1973. Muse was the first Negro to "star" in a film. He acted for more than sixty years appearing in more than 150 movies.
Born in Baltimore, Maryland, the son of Alexander and Mary Muse, he studied at Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and received an international law degree in 1911. He was acting in New York by the 1920s, during the Harlem Renaissance with two Harlem theatres, Lincoln Players and Lafayette Players.
Muse moved to Chicago for a while, and then moved to Hollywood and performed in Hearts in Dixie (1929), the first all-black movie. For the next fifty years, he worked regularly in minor and major roles. While with the Lafayette Players, Muse worked under the management of producer Robert Levy on productions that helped black actors to gain prominence and respect. In regards to the Lafayette Theatre's staging of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Muse said the play was relevant to black actors and audiences "because, in a way, it was every black man's story. Black men too have been split creatures inhabiting one body.". Muse appeared as an opera singer, minstrel show performer, vaudeville and Broadway actor; he also wrote songs, plays, and sketches. In 1943, he became the first African American Broadway director with Run Little Chillun.
Muse was also the co-writer of several notable songs. In 1931, with Leon René and Otis René, Muse wrote "When It's Sleepy Time Down South", also known as "Sleepy Time Down South". The song was sung by Nina Mae McKinney in the movie Safe in Hell (1931), and later became a signature song of Louis Armstrong.
He was the major star in Broken Earth (1936), which related the story of a black sharecropper whose son miraculously recovers from fever through the father's fervent prayer. Shot on a farm in the South with nonprofessional actors (except for Muse), the film's early scenes focused in a highly realistic manner on the incredible hardship of black farmers, with plowing scenes. In 1938, Muse co-starred with boxer Joe Louis in Spirit of Youth, the fictional story of a champion boxer which featured an all black cast. Muse and Langston Hughes wrote the script for Way Down South (1939).
Muse performed in Broken Strings (1940), as a concert violinist who opposes the desire of his son to play "swing". From 1955-56, Muse was a regular on the weekly TV version of Casablanca, playing Sam the pianist (a part he was under consideration for in the original Warner Brothers film), and in 1959, he played Peter, the Honey Man, in Porgy and Bess.
He appeared on Disney's TV miniseries The Swamp Fox. Other film credits include Buck and the Preacher (1972), The World's Greatest Athlete (1973) and as Gazenga's Assistant, "Snapper" in Car Wash (1976). His last acting role was in The Black Stallion (1979).
Filmography
all 150
Movies 146
TV Shows 4
self 2
Writer 1
Producer 1
![Passing Through](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/108771-passing-through.jpg)
Passing Through (1977)
![Car Wash](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/20849-car-wash.jpg)
Car Wash (1976)
![Black Shadows on a Silver Screen](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/303138-black-shadows-on-the-silver-screen.jpg)
Black Shadows on a Silver Screen (1975)
![A Dream for Christmas](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/108777-a-dream-for-christmas.jpg)
A Dream for Christmas (1973)
![The World's Greatest Athlete](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/84260-the-world-s-greatest-athlete.jpg)
The World's Greatest Athlete (1973)
![She Couldn't Say No](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/98684-she-couldn-t-say-no.jpg)
She Couldn't Say No (1954)
![The Sun Shines Bright](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/122134-the-sun-shines-bright.jpg)
The Sun Shines Bright (1953)
![Caribbean](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/75938-caribbean.jpg)
Caribbean (1952)
![The Las Vegas Story](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/85191-the-las-vegas-story.jpg)
The Las Vegas Story (1952)
![Riding High](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/104626-riding-high.jpg)
Riding High (1950)
![An Act of Murder](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/98610-an-act-of-murder.jpg)
An Act of Murder (1948)
![Welcome Stranger](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/80711-welcome-stranger.jpg)
Welcome Stranger (1947)
![A Likely Story](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/84456-a-likely-story.jpg)
A Likely Story (1947)
![My Favorite Brunette](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/12153-my-favorite-brunette.jpg)
My Favorite Brunette (1947)
![Two Smart People](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/47892-two-smart-people.jpg)
Two Smart People (1946)
![Jungle Terror](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/859479-jungle-terror.jpg)
Jungle Terror (1946)
![Scarlet Street](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/8908-scarlet-street.jpg)
Scarlet Street (1945)
![She Wouldn't Say Yes](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/64695-she-wouldn-t-say-yes.jpg)
She Wouldn't Say Yes (1945)
![God Is My Co-Pilot](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/92324-god-is-my-co-pilot.jpg)
God Is My Co-Pilot (1945)
![Without Love](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/80174-without-love.jpg)
Without Love (1945)
![San Diego I Love You](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/55719-san-diego-i-love-you.jpg)
San Diego I Love You (1944)
![The Soul of a Monster](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/108721-the-soul-of-a-monster.jpg)
The Soul of a Monster (1944)
![Double Indemnity](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/5727-double-indemnity.jpg)
Double Indemnity (1944)
![Stars on Parade](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/262479-stars-on-parade.jpg)
Stars on Parade (1944)
![The Racket Man](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/64281-the-racket-man.jpg)
The Racket Man (1944)
![Flesh and Fantasy](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/72539-flesh-and-fantasy.jpg)
Flesh and Fantasy (1943)
![Heaven Can Wait](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/42155-heaven-can-wait.jpg)
Heaven Can Wait (1943)
![The Sky's the Limit](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/20129-the-sky-s-the-limit.jpg)
The Sky's the Limit (1943)
![Shadow of a Doubt](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/6531-shadow-of-a-doubt.jpg)
Shadow of a Doubt (1943)
![The Black Swan](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/36182-the-black-swan.jpg)
The Black Swan (1942)
![Strictly in the Groove](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/487157-strictly-in-the-groove.jpg)
Strictly in the Groove (1942)
![The Talk of the Town](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/74385-the-talk-of-the-town.jpg)
The Talk of the Town (1942)
![Tales of Manhattan](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/5728-tales-of-manhattan.jpg)
Tales of Manhattan (1942)
![Twin Beds](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/90700-twin-beds.jpg)
Twin Beds (1942)
![Belle Starr](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/80696-belle-starr.jpg)
Belle Starr (1941)
![The Flame of New Orleans](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/93156-the-flame-of-new-orleans.jpg)
The Flame of New Orleans (1941)
![Kisses for Breakfast](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/108743-kisses-for-breakfast.jpg)
Kisses for Breakfast (1941)
![Love Crazy](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/87593-love-crazy.jpg)
Love Crazy (1941)
![Adam Had Four Sons](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/62316-adam-had-four-sons.jpg)
Adam Had Four Sons (1941)
![Chad Hanna](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/74880-chad-hanna.jpg)
Chad Hanna (1940)
![Murder Over New York](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/4637-murder-over-new-york.jpg)
Murder Over New York (1940)
![Maryland](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/85137-maryland.jpg)
Maryland (1940)
![Alice in Movieland](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/108759-alice-in-movieland.jpg)
Alice in Movieland (1940)
![Broken Strings](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/108725-broken-strings.jpg)
Broken Strings (1940)
![Secrets of a Nurse](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/224814-secrets-of-a-nurse.jpg)
Secrets of a Nurse (1938)
![Prison Train](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/84389-prison-train.jpg)
Prison Train (1938)
![The Toy Wife](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/77141-the-toy-wife.jpg)
The Toy Wife (1938)
![Spirit of Youth](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/108751-spirit-of-youth.jpg)
Spirit of Youth (1938)
![Jungle Menace](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/108749-jungle-menace.jpg)
Jungle Menace (1937)
![High Hat](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/261033-high-hat.jpg)
High Hat (1937)
![Fibbing Fibbers](https://images.moviefit.me/default-images/t/o.jpg)
Fibbing Fibbers (1936)
![Spendthrift](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/105716-spendthrift.jpg)
Spendthrift (1936)
![The Broken Earth](https://images.moviefit.me/default-images/t/o.jpg)
The Broken Earth (1936)
![Muss 'em Up](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/71432-muss-em-up.jpg)
Muss 'em Up (1936)
![East of Java](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/415957-east-of-java.jpg)
East of Java (1935)
![Harmony Lane](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/100998-harmony-lane.jpg)
Harmony Lane (1935)
![Red Hot Tires](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/93716-red-hot-tires.jpg)
Red Hot Tires (1935)
![Kid Millions](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/108178-kid-millions.jpg)
Kid Millions (1934)
![Black Moon](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/97440-black-moon.jpg)
Black Moon (1934)
![The Personality Kid](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/39461-the-personality-kid.jpg)
The Personality Kid (1934)
![A Very Honorable Guy](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/134077-a-very-honorable-guy.jpg)
A Very Honorable Guy (1934)
![Flying Down to Rio](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/20109-flying-down-to-rio.jpg)
Flying Down to Rio (1933)
![The Wrecker](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/97468-the-wrecker.jpg)
The Wrecker (1933)
![Frisco Jenny](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/75294-frisco-jenny.jpg)
Frisco Jenny (1933)
![Laughter in Hell](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/81201-laughter-in-hell.jpg)
Laughter in Hell (1933)
![The Death Kiss](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/99842-the-death-kiss.jpg)
The Death Kiss (1932)
![If I Had a Million](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/42185-if-i-had-a-million.jpg)
If I Had a Million (1932)
![Man Against Woman](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/260100-man-against-woman.jpg)
Man Against Woman (1932)
![The Cabin in the Cotton](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/53193-the-cabin-in-the-cotton.jpg)
The Cabin in the Cotton (1932)
![Hell's Highway](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/108780-hell-s-highway.jpg)
Hell's Highway (1932)
![Big City Blues](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/120091-big-city-blues.jpg)
Big City Blues (1932)
![White Zombie](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/13112-white-zombie.jpg)
White Zombie (1932)
![Winner Take All](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/71393-winner-take-all.jpg)
Winner Take All (1932)
![Is My Face Red?](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/108755-is-my-face-red.jpg)
Is My Face Red? (1932)
![Attorney for the Defense](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/84923-attorney-for-the-defense.jpg)
Attorney for the Defense (1932)
![Night World](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/77818-night-world.jpg)
Night World (1932)
![Lena Rivers](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/108740-lena-rivers.jpg)
Lena Rivers (1932)
![The Wet Parade](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/83393-the-wet-parade.jpg)
The Wet Parade (1932)
![X Marks the Spot](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/108738-x-marks-the-spot.jpg)
X Marks the Spot (1931)
![The Secret Witness](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/108764-the-secret-witness.jpg)
The Secret Witness (1931)
![Safe in Hell](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/108766-safe-in-hell.jpg)
Safe in Hell (1931)
![Secret Service](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/209278-secret-service.jpg)
Secret Service (1931)
![Dirigible](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/39488-dirigible.jpg)
Dirigible (1931)
![The Last Parade](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/284120-the-last-parade.jpg)
The Last Parade (1931)
![Derelict](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/128323-derelict.jpg)
Derelict (1930)
![Outside the Law](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/72588-outside-the-law.jpg)
Outside the Law (1930)
![The Thoroughbred](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/77271-the-thoroughbred.jpg)
The Thoroughbred (1930)
![Swing High](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/133195-swing-high.jpg)
Swing High (1930)
![Honey](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/67465-honey.jpg)
Honey (1930)
![Guilty?](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/259699-guilty.jpg)
Guilty? (1930)
![New York Nights](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/54549-new-york-nights.jpg)
New York Nights (1929)
![Hallelujah](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/83110-hallelujah.jpg)
Hallelujah (1929)
![Election Day](https://images.moviefit.me/t/o/213970-election-day.jpg)
Election Day (1929)
![The Custard Nine](https://images.moviefit.me/default-images/t/o.jpg)
The Custard Nine (1921)
Ratings
Information
Known ForActing
GenderMale
Birthday1889-10-14
Deathday1979-10-13 (89 years old)
Birth PlaceBaltimore, United States of America
CitizenshipsUnited States of America
Also Known AsClarence Muese
AwardsBlack Filmmakers Hall of Fame
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