Alvin Childress
Born: 1907-09-14 in Meridian, Mississippi, USA
Died: 1986-04-19
Known For: Acting
Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia American actor who is best known for playing the cabdriver Amos Jones in the 1950s television comedy series Amos 'n Andy. Alvin Childress was born in Meridian, Mississippi. He was educated at Rust College, from which he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. When he initially entered college, Childress intended to become a doctor, enrolling in typical pre-med courses. He had no thoughts of becoming involved in acting, but became involved in theater outside of classes. Childress and Rex Ingram in the Federal Theatre Project production of Haiti (1938) Childress moved to New York City and became an actor with Harlem's Lafayette Players, a troupe of stock players associated with the Lafayette Theatre. Soon, he was engaged as an actor in the Federal Theater Project, the American Negro Theater, and in all-black race film productions such as Keep Punching (1939). His greatest success on the stage was his performance as Noah in the popular comedy, Anna Lucasta, which ran for 957 performances. He also worked at Teachers College of Columbia University.[3][8] Childress also operated his own radio and record store in New York City. When he learned about casting for the Amos 'n Andy television series, Childress decided to audition for a role. He was hired a year before the show went on the air.
Filmography
1983
1982
- Sister, Sister as Mr. Jacobs
1980
- Cheech & Chong's Next Movie as Pinochle Player
1979
- The Main Event as Man In Gym
1977
1976
1975
- The Jeffersons
- Senior Power as Prowling Victim
- Darktown Strutters as Bo
- The Day of the Locust as Butler
1974
- Good Times
- Thunderbolt and Lightfoot as The Janitor
1972
1971
- Banyon as Mr. Clayton
1960
- High Time as Guest Announcer at Judge Carter's Ball (uncredited)
1958
- Old Man as Farmer on Levee
- Anna Lucasta as Noah
1957
- Perry Mason as Janitor
1951
- Amos 'n' Andy as Amos Jones
1945
1944
- Jasper Goes Hunting as Professor Scarecrow (voice) (uncredited)
- Say Ah, Jasper as Professor Scarecrow (uncredited) (voice)
- Package for Jasper as Professor Scarecrow (voice)
1943
- Jasper's Music Lesson as Professor Scarecrow (voice)
1942
- Jasper and the Haunted House as Blackbird (uncredited)