1. Lincoln Theodore Monroe Andrew Perry, better known by his stage name Stepin Fetchit, was an American vaudevillian, comedian, and film actor of Jamaican and Bahamian descent, considered to be the first black actor to have a successful film career.
Stepin Fetchit was the first black actor to receive featured screen credit in a film.
However, writer Mel Watkins has since argued the Stepin Fetchit character is described as a prankster than simply lazy.
Stepin Fetchit was the second child of Joseph Perry, a cigar maker from Jamaica and Dora Monroe, a seamstress from Nassau, The Bahamas.
Stepin Fetchit's mother wanted him to be a dentist, so Perry was adopted by a quack dentist, for whom he blacked boots before running away at age 12 to join a carnival.
Stepin Fetchit earned his living for a few years as a singer and tap dancer.
Stepin Fetchit's stage name was a contraction of "step and fetch it".
Stepin Fetchit signed a five-year studio contract following his performance in the film, In Old Kentucky.
Stepin Fetchit did not sing "Ol' Man River", but he did sing "The Lonesome Road" in the film.
Stepin Fetchit appeared in 44 films between 1927 and 1939.
Stepin Fetchit returned in 1945, in part due to financial need, though he only appeared in eight films between 1945 and 1953.
Stepin Fetchit declared bankruptcy in 1947, stating assets of $146.
Stepin Fetchit returned to vaudeville; he appeared at the Anderson Free Fair in 1949 alongside Singer's Midgets.
Stepin Fetchit became a friend of heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali in the 1960s, allegedly converting to the Nation of Islam shortly before.
Stepin Fetchit found himself in conflict during his career with civil rights leaders who criticized him personally for the film roles that he portrayed.
Stepin Fetchit died on November 19,1985, from pneumonia and heart failure, at the age of 83.
Stepin Fetchit was buried at Calvary Cemetery in East Los Angeles following a Catholic funeral Mass.
Stepin Fetchit gave birth to their son, Jemajo, on September 12,1930.