Image of Alvin Childress

Alvin Childress

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.


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Born:
Sep 14, 1907 In Meridian, Mississippi, USA
Movie/TV Credits:
19
First Appeared:
In the movie Jasper's Music Lesson 1943-05-21
Latest Project:
Movie Sister, Sister 1982-06-07
Known For
Poster of The Day of the Locust
Poster of Amos 'n' Andy
Poster of Package for Jasper
Poster of Jasper's Music Lesson
Filmography
Movie Sister, Sister Mr. Jacobs 1982-06-07
Movie Cheech & Chong's Next Movie Pinochle Player 1980-07-18
Movie The Main Event Man In Gym 1979-06-22
Series Fish Unknown 1977-02-05
Movie The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings Horace 1976-07-16
Movie Senior Power Prowling Victim 1975-01-01
Series The Jeffersons Unknown 1975-01-18
Movie The Day of the Locust Butler 1975-05-07
Movie Darktown Strutters Bo 1975-10-07
Series Good Times Unknown 1974-02-08
Series Sanford and Son Unknown 1972-01-14
Movie Banyon Mr. Clayton 1971-03-15
Movie Anna Lucasta Noah 1958-11-01
Movie Old Man Farmer on Levee 1958-11-20
Series Perry Mason Unknown 1957-09-21
Series Amos 'n' Andy Amos Jones 1951-06-28
Movie Package for Jasper Professor Scarecrow (voice) 1944-01-28
Movie Jasper Goes Hunting Professor Scarecrow (voice) (uncredited) 1944-07-27
Movie Jasper's Music Lesson Professor Scarecrow (voice) 1943-05-21