Charles Mack (blackface performer)
Charles Sellers (November 22, 1888, in White Cloud, Kansas – January 11, 1934) was an American minstrel show performer who worked in blackface under the stage name Charles Mack. He worked with John Swor and later George Moran as the Two Black Crows.[1]
He married Marian Robinson. They divorced in 1931.[2][3] He later married Myrtle Buckley on July 24, 1932, in San Diego, California.[4]
He died on January 11, 1934, in Mesa, Arizona, in a car accident. He was driving when a tire blew out and the car overturned several times. His wife was injured but survived. Also in the car were his daughter, Mary Jane Mack, George Moran and Mack Sennett. The funeral arrangements were made by W. C. Fields and William S. Hart. Hart gave the eulogy and Noah Beery sang.[5][6] He was buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.[7] His estate was valued at $50,000 (approximately $1,139,000 today).[8]
References
[edit]- ^ Vaudeville old & new: an encyclopedia of variety performances in America 0415938538 Frank Cullen, Florence Hackman, Donald McNeilly - 2007 -"... known professionally as Charles Mack, although a few sources confuse him with another actor, Charles Emmett Mack ... However, until the advent of Amos 'n' Andy, Two Black Crows was the most popular blackface comedy act in America .."
- ^ "Charles Mack Sues Wife. Actor Seeks Divorce, While She Plans to File Cross Bill". The New York Times. Associated Press. July 24, 1931. Retrieved 2015-03-22.
- ^ "Mack Asks a Divorce. Decision Is Reserved in Suit Brought by Radio Performer". The New York Times. October 24, 1931. Retrieved 2015-03-22.
- ^ "Charles Mack Marries". The New York Times. July 25, 1932. Retrieved 2015-03-22.
- ^ "Mack's Funeral At Los Angeles, Widow Decides". Chicago Tribune. January 13, 1934.
- ^ "W. S. Hart To Hold Mack Funeral Rites. Former Two-Gun Hero of Screen to Pay Last Tribute to Noted Comedian". The New York Times. January 14, 1934. Retrieved 2015-03-22.
- ^ "Charles E. Mack Buried. William S. Hart Gives Eulogy and Noah Beery Sings at Service". The New York Times. January 16, 1934. Retrieved 2015-03-22.
- ^ "Mack Estate Put at $50,000". The New York Times. Associated Press. February 7, 1934. Retrieved 2015-03-22.
External links
[edit]- Charles Mack at IMDb
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
- Blackface minstrel performers
- Road incident deaths in Arizona
- Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale)
- 1888 births
- 1934 deaths
- 20th-century American male singers
- 20th-century American singers
- People from Doniphan County, Kansas
- Singers from Kansas
- Comedians from Kansas
- 20th-century American comedians
- American male comedians