
Leigh Whipper
Where to watch Leigh Whipper in United States. On screen since 1920. Licensed apps only — 23 titles we track below.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Leigh Rollin Whipper (October 29, 1876 – July 26, 1975) was an American actor on the stage and in motion pictures. He was the first African American to join the Actors' Equity Association, and one of the founders of the Negro Actors Guild of America. He is best known for creating the role of Crooks in the original Broadway production of Of Mice and Men, which he reprised in the 1939 film version.
Educated at Howard University Law School, he left in 1895 and never practiced as a lawyer. Without any dramatic training, he made his first Broadway appearance in Georgia Minstrels. His first film role was in the 1920 silent film The Symbol of the Unconquered.
During the Second World War, Whipper was a member of the steering committee of Negro Division the Hollywood Victory Committee.
Where to watch their titles

The Ox-Bow Incident
Sparks (uncredited) · 1943

Within Our Gates
1920

Of Mice and Men
Crooks · 1939

King of the Zombies
Momba · 1941

Undercurrent
George · 1946

Road to Zanzibar
Scarface · 1941

Dark Waters
Office Custodian (uncredited) · 1944

Mission to Moscow
Haile Selassie (uncredited) · 1943

The Symbol of the Unconquered: A Story of the Ku Klux Klan
Tugi - an Indian Fakir · 1920

Young Widow
Nate (Uncredited) · 1946

White Cargo
Jim Fish · 1942

The Hidden Eye
Alistair · 1945

The Young Don't Cry
Doosy · 1957

The Vanishing Virginian
Uncle Josh · 1942

Happy Land
Old Ben (uncredited) · 1943

Heart of the Golden West
Rango · 1942

The Shrike
Mr. Carlisle · 1955

Bahama Passage
Morales · 1941

Untamed Fury
Uncle Gabe · 1947

Robin Hood of the Pecos
Kezeye · 1941

Virginia
Ezechial · 1941

The Negro Sailor
Editor · 1945

Once Upon a Time in Harlem
Self (archival footage) · 2026