Leigh Whipper
Known for Acting · 23 credits
- Born
- 1876-10-29
- Died
- 1975-07-26
- Place of birth
- Charleston, South Carolina, USA
- Also known as
- Lee Whipper
Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Leigh Rollin Whipper (October 29, 1876 – July 26, 1975) was an American actor on the stage and in motion pictures. He was the first African American to join the Actors' Equity Association, and one of the founders of the Negro Actors Guild of America. He is best known for creating the role of Crooks in the original Broadway production of Of Mice and Men, which he reprised in the 1939 film version.
Educated at Howard University Law School, he left in 1895 and never practiced as a lawyer. Without any dramatic training, he made his first Broadway appearance in Georgia Minstrels. His first film role was in the 1920 silent film The Symbol of the Unconquered.
During the Second World War, Whipper was a member of the steering committee of Negro Division the Hollywood Victory Committee.
Known For
Movies (23)
Once Upon a Time in Harlem
2026
as Self (archival footage)
The Ox-Bow Incident
1943
as Sparks (uncredited)
Undercurrent
1946
as George
Of Mice and Men
1939
as Crooks
Mission to Moscow
1943
as Haile Selassie (uncredited)
King of the Zombies
1941
as Momba
Road to Zanzibar
1941
as Scarface
White Cargo
1942
as Jim Fish
The Shrike
1955
as Mr. Carlisle
Heart of the Golden West
1942
as Rango
The Hidden Eye
1945
as Alistair
The Vanishing Virginian
1942
as Uncle Josh
Bahama Passage
1941
as Morales
The Negro Sailor
1945
as Editor
Dark Waters
1944
as Office Custodian (uncredited)
Happy Land
1943
as Old Ben (uncredited)
Within Our Gates
1920
The Young Don't Cry
1957
as Doosy
Young Widow
1946
as Nate (Uncredited) / Nate (uncredited)
Robin Hood of the Pecos
1941
as Kezeye
Virginia
1941
as Ezechial
Untamed Fury
1947
as Uncle Gabe
The Symbol of the Unconquered
1920
as Tugi - an Indian Fakir
About Leigh Whipper
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Leigh Rollin Whipper (October 29, 1876 – July 26, 1975) was an American actor on the stage and in motion pictures. He was the first African American to join the Actors' Equity Association, and one of the founders of the Negro Actors Guild of America. He is best known for creating the role of Crooks in the original Broadway production of Of Mice and Men, which he reprised in the 1939 film version. Educated at Howard University Law School, he left in 1895 and never practiced as a lawyer. Without any dramatic… With 23 credits spanning from 1920 to 2026, Leigh Whipper has appeared in 23 films and 0 TV shows.
Fans searching for Leigh Whipper movies, Leigh Whipper filmography, or the latest projects starring Leigh Whipper can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Leigh Whipper Movies
- Once Upon a Time in Harlem (2026) — as Self (archival footage)
- The Ox-Bow Incident (1943) — as Sparks (uncredited)
- Undercurrent (1946) — as George
- Of Mice and Men (1939) — as Crooks
- Mission to Moscow (1943) — as Haile Selassie (uncredited)
Where to Watch Leigh Whipper Films
Most Leigh Whipper movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Leigh Whipper, check our movies catalogue and browse page.