Appropriately nicknamed "Google Eyes" by his childhood friends, African-American actor Mantan Moreland joined a carnival at 14 and a medicine show a year later - and both times was dragged home by juvenile authorities. Leave feedback. Appropriately nicknamed "Google Eyes" by his childhood friends, African-American actor Mantan Moreland joined a carnival at 14 and a medicine show a year later - and both times was dragged home by juvenile authorities.

A solo performer by nature, he often teamed up with other famous comics (such as Ben Carter) to keep working, and became a deft performer of "indefinite talk" routines, wherein two quicksilver comics continually topped each other in mid-sentence, as if reading each other's mind (i.e., "Say, did you see...?" After a decade of professional ups... Not so fast, my friend. Connect your Spotify account to your Last.fm account and scrobble everything you listen to, from any Spotify app on any device or platform.

Most of Moreland's early adult years were spent on the "Chitlin Circuit," the nickname given by performers to all-black vaudeville. From these escapades, he sharpened his comic skills and developed routines and acts that eventually made a mark on the vaudeville stage, or what was then called the "chitlin' circuit." Moreland also toured America in vaudeville, making personal appearances in the nation's movie theaters. Check out 'The Empty Man,' 'Unhinged' and our favorite murder mysteries, A selection of our favorite big-screen whodunnits, An unstable detective takes on a very personal case -- and we have the first trailer, Find safety procedures announced by your theater, Tyler Posey realizes he's on his own in an exclusive clip from 'Alone,' now on FandangoNOW, What to Watch on FandangoNOW: ‘Unhinged,’ ‘The Opening Act,’ Miranda July’s ‘Kajillionaire’ and More, This Week in Family Movie News: ‘Thomas & Friends’ Coming Down the Track, First ‘Addams Family 2’ Teaser and More, Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993). After suffering a stroke in the early 1960s, Moreland took on a few minor comedic roles, working with Bill Cosby, Moms Mabley and Carl Reiner. We need to check your ID.

Monogram Pictures signed Moreland to appear opposite Frankie Darro in the studio's popular action pictures. Some of his roles are now considered to be controversial, as he often played a superstitious, easily frightened manservant, ready to flee at the first sign of danger.

During the second half of the 1940s, the public attitudes toward the portrayals of African Americans in the cinema had changed. Appropriately nicknamed "Google Eyes" by his childhood friends, African-American actor Mantan Moreland joined a carnival at 14 and a medicine show a year later - and both times was dragged home by juvenile authorities. Although his bulgy-eyed brand of humor was once popular and considered funny, "second banana" character actor Mantan Moreland, who maintained a steadfast career playing cocky but jittery characters in late 1930s and early 1940s comedy, would later be ostracized for it. [2] Although his bulgy-eyed brand of humor was once popular and considered funny, "second banana" character actor Mantan Moreland, who maintained a steadfast career playing cocky but jittery characters in late 1930s and early 1940s comedy, would later be ostracized for it. By the 1950s, racial attitudes began to change and, with the rise of the civil rights movement in the mid 1960's, what was once considered hilarious was now interpreted as offensive. Mantan Moreland parlayed his cocky but jittery character into a recognizable presence in the late 1930s and early 1940s, appearing in a long string of comedy thrillers and more than 300 films in all.

- IMDb Mini Biography By: Initially, Moreland appeared in low-budget "race movies" aimed at African-American audiences, but as his comedic talents came to be recognized, he received roles in larger productions. Biography. [3] She and other sources agree it is more likely he left home when he was fourteen.[4].

Fandango helps you go back to the movies with confidence and peace of mind. [10] Moreland and Nipsey Russell would performed this routine in two all-black variety films in 1955. • Michael H. Price - Mantan the Funnyman (2007), a biography of Moreland Get your swag on with discounted movies to stream at home, exclusive movie gear, access to advanced screenings and discounts galore. Collect bonus rewards from our many partners, including AMC, Stubs, Cinemark Connections, Regal Crown Club when you link accounts.