Seven-year old Zina Bethune studied dance at the famed George Balanchine School of American Ballet. She enrolled as a method of strengthening her legs and body after a diagnosis of scoliosis and hip dysplasia. By the age of 10, she was performing in The Nutcracker. At 14, she was dancing in the prestigious New York City Ballet. Parallel to her blossoming dancer career, Zina took roles in off-Broadway shows and later joined the cast of the musical Most Happy Fella. Pursuing both a career in dance and acting, she appeared in soap operas and anthology TV series.

In 1960, fifteen-year old Zina was cast as President Roosevelt’s (as played by Ralph Bellamy) daughter in the film Sunrise at Campobello. She went on to star opposite Harvey Keitel (in his film debut) in Martin Scorsese’s first feature film Who’s That Knocking at My Door. She rode her wave of fame with guest roles on television dramas, Westerns and even game shows.

Overcoming her physical ailments, Zina founded Dance Outreach (now known as Infinite Dreams) in 1980, which enrolls9 about 8,000 disabled children in dance-related activities throughout Southern California.

In February 2012, Zina, a lifelong animal lover, stopped her car on the side of the road to check on, what appeared to be, an injured animal. She left the motor running in her car and she made her way along the shoulder of the road. She was struck by two vehicles, one dragging her approximately 600 feet. Authorities arrived and Zina was pronounced dead at the scene. She was 66 years old.

Comments

comments

In 1959, nine-year old Ron McNair wanted to check out some books for the Lake City Public Library in his native South Carolina. The library, however, was segregated and Ron, who was African-American was denied his request. Hurt and angered, he refused to leave. His mother was called, along with local police. After much discussion and negotiations, Ron was permitted to leave with several books.

That eager-to-learn young man went on to become valedictorian of his high school graduating class. He furthered his studies at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and earned Bachelor of Science degree in engineering physics, magna cum laude. Ron later received a PhD in Physics from MIT and became well respected in the field of laser physics.

In 1978, Ron was chosen to join the NASA astronaut program. He trained extensively and in 1984, he became the second African-American to go up in space. In January 1986, Ron was killed along with the other crew members of the Space Shuttle Challenger when it exploded 73 seconds into its mission. Ron was 35 years old.

In 2011, The Lake City Public Library was renamed in his honor and memory.

Comments

comments

Julius “Nipsey” Russell was born in Atlanta, although it’s not very clear exactly when. Various sources claim various dates between 1918 and 1925. He served as a medic in World War II, returning home in 1945. He got a job as a carhop at the famed Varsity, a wildly popular hot dog stand that takes up two city blocks and is recognized as the largest fast-food drive-in in the world. While at the Varsity, he honed his comedic skills. He found the more he made the customers laugh, the bigger his tips were.

Nipsey soon joined up with vaudeville comedian Mantan Moreland, replacing Moreland longtime straight man. The pair became famous for the oft-performed “interruption routine,” in which they would engage in a conversation, interrupting each other and never completing a sentence. It was a well-received vaudeville staple and led to appearances on TV variety shows. Nipsey caught the attention of a casting director for the sitcom Car 54, Where Are You? and he was cast as “Officer Dave Anderson” in 15 episodes. His popularity led to more guest appearances, including a stint opening for singer Sergio Franchi in Las Vegas. Eventually, Nipsey landed a co-starring role in the sitcom Barefoot in the Park. Nipsey was a fixture on 70s television, frequently seen on Laugh-In, The Dean Martin Show, The Ed Sullivan Show and an array of game shows. He was the first African-American performer to be featured as a regular panelist on a game show. On shows like The Match Game and What’s My Line?, he delighted audiences with his off-the-cuff humorous poems — which became his trademark. On his appearances of To Tell the Truth, while always jovial, he exhibited an unusually articulate and deductive line of questioning. He even hosted a revival of the game show Juvenile Jury for BET in the middle 80s.

In 1978, Nipsey was cast in the film version of the popular Tony Award-winning musical The Wiz. As “The Tin Man,” Nipsey displayed his dancing prowess, a talent heretofore unknown to fans. Later, he reprised his role as “Dave Anderson” in the big screen adaption of Car 54, Where Are You? Nipsey gained popularity with a new generation, thanks to numerous appearances on Late Night with Conan O’Brien. He even returned to game shows in 2003, as a panelist on a new version of the venerable Hollywood Squares. He passed away in 2005, possibly at the age of 87.

Comments

comments

Teenage Clara Smith began performing in tent shows and vaudeville stages in 1910. By the 20s, she was headlining for the Theater Owners Bookers Association circuit, a promoter working exclusively with African-American talent. After appearing all across the United States, Clara settled in New York City, topping the bill at speakeasies and cabarets. She was signed to Columbia Records where she made recordings accompanied by Fletcher Henderson and Louis Armstrong. She also recorded duets with contemporary Bessie Smith, though the two ladies were not related. Although she had a lighter, sweeter vocal style, Clara earned herself the nickname “Queen of the Moaners.”  Clara cut 122 songs for Columbia. Her records sold very well, only being topped in sales by Bessie Smith.

During her career, she met 13-year-old budding singer named Josephine Baker. Clara became Josephine’s mentor, hiring the young girl as her dresser. A romantic relationship soon developed between Clara and Josephine.

In 1935, while playing a theatre in Detroit, Clara succumbed to heart disease. She was just shy of 41.

Comments

comments

Avon Long was a talented singer and dancer. He appeared as “Sportin’ Life” in the 1942 Broadway revival of Porgy and Bess. He appeared with Lena Horne in Beggar’s Holiday and with Thelma Carpenter in the 1952 revival of Shuffle Along. He originated the role of “John” in Bubbling Brown Sugar and was nominated for a Tony Award for Don’t Play Us Cheap in 1973. He reprised his role of “Brother Dave” in the film version.

Avon was cast in small, but memorable, roles in a number of popular Hollywood films. In Trading Places, he played the recipient of Ralph Bellamy’s meager Christmas bonus. In Harry and Tonto, he played Harry’s (Art Carney) friend, garbage collector “Leroy.” In The Sting, Avon played “Benny Garfield,” the man from whom the bogus betting parlor was rented, uttering the line “Flat rate!” with venomous disdain. He was a favorite for the role of “George Jefferson” on All in the Family, but the role was recast after negative feedback from series star Carroll O’Connor. Avon’s final role was in a science-fiction comedy called Nothing Lasts Forever, which was never released. The film was supposed to star John Belushi, but the comedian died six weeks before production began.

After enjoying two nearly separate careers, Avon passed away in 1984 at the age of 73.

Comments

comments