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Frederick O'Neal

Frederick O'Neal

Actor

Born August 27, 1905 in Brooksville, Mississippi, USA

Died August 25, 1992

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Biography

African-American Frederick O'Neal was an actor and director of distinction, known for his exemplary work on stage and TV, but is hailed (and, arguably, better remembered) for his work behind the scenes as a revolutionary unionist and certifiable mover-and-shaker, earning major applause for his equally inspiring work and steadfast dedication to black actors everywhere by opening doors where no doors were before. Born in Brooksville, Mississippi in 1905, the gentlemanly performer was so named in honor of the esteemed abolitionist and statesman Frederick Douglass. On the acting front, O'Neal made his New York debut in 1936 with the Civic Repertory Theatre. In 1944, he won the Clarence Derwent award for his Broadway performance as the greedy brother-in-law in "Anna Lucasta." He also earned acclaim for his stage portrayal of Lem Scott in "Take a Giant Step" in 1953. Both of these roles he transferred to the screen. In the late 50s and early 60s he was a dignified presence on TV, primarily in dramatic Kraft Suspense and Hallmark Hall of Fame productions. His first film was a small part in the pioneer racial drama Pinky (1949). Parts that followed were alternately stereotypical, such Tarzan's Peril (1951), and prodigious, such as Anna Lucasta (1959), Take a Giant Step (1959), and the lead in Free, White and 21 (1962). Off-stage and off-camera, O'Neal also became a force to be reckoned with. He was a major administrative figure in raising the scope of black theatre both in New York and London, co-founding many theater companies and cultural organizations. Notable among these is Harlem's American Negro Theatre (ANT) in 1940, which ignited the legendary careers of Harry Belafonte, Ruby Dee, Sidney Poitier, and others. The all-black cast of "Anna Lucasta" was ANT's first major success on Broadway. ANT also became the first black theatre company to produce a black radio series. The company stopped production in the 50s but not before it had achieved its purpose of widening awareness of black theatre. O'Neal also co-founded the British Negro Theatre. In 1964 he became president Emeritus of the Actor's Equity Association and Associated Actors and Artistes of America. He also held the honor of becoming the first Black American to be elected president of Equity (1964-1973). In 1992, the 86-year-old actor died following a lengthy illness and was survived by his wife.

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Frederick O'Neal Photos

Frederick O'Neal Videos

Anna Lucasta (1958, trailer)

Anna Lucasta (1958) Original Trailer [HD]

Filmography

Actor

30

Type

Year

Classified X Poster

Classified X Documentary1998Self

Scandalize My Name: Stories from the Blacklist Poster

Scandalize My Name: Stories from the Blacklist Documentary1998Self

Twentieth Century Fox: The First 50 Years Poster

Twentieth Century Fox: The First 50 Years Documentary1997Actor 'Pinky'

Cotton Comes to Harlem Poster

Cotton Comes to Harlem Feature Film1970

Strategy of Terror Poster

Strategy of Terror Feature Film1969Jacques Serac

Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon Poster

Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon TV Series1966Self

Tarzan TV Series1966Tribal Spokesman

History of the Negro People Poster

History of the Negro People Mini-Series19651 episode, 1965

Profiles in Courage Poster

Profiles in Courage TV Series1964Haines

Breaking Point Poster

Breaking Point TV Series1963Matty Howard

Free, White and 21 Poster

Free, White and 21 Feature Film1963Ernie Jones

Kraft Suspense Theatre Poster

Kraft Suspense Theatre TV Series1963Jacques Serac

The Patriots Poster

The Patriots TV Movie1963Jupiter

Car 54, Where Are You? Poster

Car 54, Where Are You? TV Series1961Officer wallace

The Sins of Rachel Cade Poster

The Sins of Rachel Cade Feature Film1961Buderga

Route 66 Poster

Route 66 TV Series1960Horace Wilson - The Memphis Naturals

Buick-Electra Playhouse Poster

Buick-Electra Playhouse TV Series1959Sam

Play of the Week Poster

Play of the Week TV Series1959Boyd

Take a Giant Step Poster

Take a Giant Step Feature Film1959Lem Scott

The Green Pastures TV Movie1959Moses

Anna Lucasta Poster

Anna Lucasta Feature Film1958Frank

Something of Value Poster

Something of Value Feature Film1957Adam Marenga - Mau-Mau Leader

The Green Pastures TV Movie1957Moses

The Edge of Night Poster

The Edge of Night TV Series1956Reverend Osgood

Playwrights '56 Poster

Playwrights '56 TV Series1955Boots

The Phil Silvers Show Poster

The Phil Silvers Show TV Series1955MSgt. Harry Berch

Look Up and Live Poster

Look Up and Live TV Series19541 episode, 1957

Tarzan's Peril Poster

Tarzan's Peril Feature Film1951King Bulam

No Way Out Poster

No Way Out Feature Film1950Man

Pinky Feature Film1949Jake Walters

Thanks

1

Scandalize My Name: Stories from the Blacklist Poster

Scandalize My Name: Stories from the Blacklist Documentary1998

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