Edgar Hughes "Blue" Washington (26 February 1898 – 15 September 1970) was an American actor and
baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball games, bat-and-ball sport played between two team sport, teams of nine players each, taking turns batting (baseball), batting and Fielding (baseball), fielding. The game occurs over the course of several Pitch ...
player who played in the
Negro leagues
The Negro leagues were United States professional baseball leagues comprising teams of African Americans. The term may be used broadly to include professional black teams outside the leagues and it may be used narrowly for the seven relativel ...
from 1915 to 1920 as a pitcher and first baseman.
Baseball career
Washington started his baseball career as a pitcher with the
Chicago American Giants
The Chicago American Giants were a Chicago-based Negro league baseball team. From 1910 until the mid-1930s, the American Giants were the most dominant team in black baseball. Owned and managed from 1911 to 1926 by player-manager Andrew "Rube" F ...
in 1915.
He remained with Chicago in 1916. He later played with the
Kansas City Monarchs in 1920, appearing in 24 documented
major league games.
Acting career
He appeared in 74 films between
1919
Events
January
* January 1
** The Czechoslovak Legions occupy much of the self-proclaimed "free city" of Pressburg (later Bratislava), enforcing its incorporation into the new republic of Czechoslovakia.
** HMY ''Iolaire'' sinks off th ...
and
1957
Events January
* January 1 – The Saarland joins West Germany.
* January 3 – Hamilton Watch Company introduces the first electric watch.
* January 5 – South African player Russell Endean becomes the first batsman to be Dismissal (cricke ...
, mostly playing small, uncredited roles as a porter, a bartender, an African native (as in ''
King Kong
King Kong, also referred to simply as Kong, is a fictional giant monster resembling a gorilla, who has appeared in various media since 1933. The character has since become an international pop culture icon,Erb, Cynthia, 1998, ''Tracking Kin ...
'' (1933) and ''
Tarzan's Magic Fountain'' (1949), a cook, a chauffeur, a ship's crew member, a
Nubian slave, and a
doorman. Some of his characters had names such as "Ulambo", "Sambo" (
sambo) and "Hambone". In the 1933 film ''
Haunted Gold'', he portrayed Clarence,
John Wayne
Marion Robert Morrison (May 26, 1907 – June 11, 1979), known professionally as John Wayne, was an American actor. Nicknamed "Duke", he became a Pop icon, popular icon through his starring roles in films which were produced during Hollywood' ...
's comic sidekick. He had uncredited appearances in ''
The Birth of a Nation
''The Birth of a Nation'' is a 1915 American Silent film, silent Epic film, epic Drama (film and television), drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Lillian Gish. The screenplay is adapted from Thomas Dixon Jr.'s 1905 novel and ...
'' (1915) and ''
Gone with the Wind Gone with the Wind most often refers to:
* Gone with the Wind (novel), ''Gone with the Wind'' (novel), a 1936 novel by Margaret Mitchell
* Gone with the Wind (film), ''Gone with the Wind'' (film), the 1939 adaptation of the novel
Gone with the Wind ...
'' (1939).
Personal
Edgar Hughes Washington was the son of Susie Washington and had three siblings. He became a
boxer at age 14 with the
stage name
A stage name or professional name is a pseudonym used by performers, authors, and entertainers—such as actors, comedians, singers, and musicians. The equivalent concept among writers is called a ''nom de plume'' (pen name). Some performers ...
of "Kid Blue." His separated from his partner Marian Lenàn when their son Kenny was two years old. He was given the nickname "Blue" by film director
Frank Capra
Frank Russell Capra (born Francesco Rosario Capra; May 18, 1897 – September 3, 1991) was an Italian-American film director, producer, and screenwriter who was the creative force behind Frank Capra filmography#Films that won Academy Award ...
when both were kids. Washington's son,
Kenny Washington, a standout athlete at
UCLA
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a public land-grant research university in Los Angeles, California, United States. Its academic roots were established in 1881 as a normal school then known as the southern branch of the C ...
where he was a teammate of
Jackie Robinson
Jack Roosevelt Robinson (January 31, 1919 – October 24, 1972) was an American professional baseball player who became the first Black American to play in Major League Baseball (MLB) in the modern era. Robinson broke the Baseball color line, ...
, broke the
color barrier in the
National Football League
The National Football League (NFL) is a Professional gridiron football, professional American football league in the United States. Composed of 32 teams, it is divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National ...
in 1946.
Filmography
* ''
Haunted Spooks
''Haunted Spooks'' is a 1920 American silent film, silent Southern Gothic comedy horror film, produced and co-directed by Hal Roach,Workman, Christopher; Howarth, Troy (2016). ''Tome of Terror: Horror Films of the Silent Era''. Midnight Marquee ...
'' (1920, Short) as Butler (film debut) (uncredited)
* ''
A Virginia Courtship'' (1921)
* ''
The Blood Ship'' (1927) as Minor Role
* ''
By Whose Hand?'' (1927) as Eli
* ''
The Haunted Ship'' (1927) as Mose
* ''
The Smart Set
''The Smart Set'' was an American monthly literary magazine, founded by Colonel William d'Alton Mann and published from March 1900 to June 1930. Its headquarters was in New York City. During its Jazz Age heyday under the editorship of H. L. Men ...
'' (1928) as Polo Fan (uncredited)
* ''
Wyoming
Wyoming ( ) is a landlocked U.S. state, state in the Mountain states, Mountain West subregion of the Western United States, Western United States. It borders Montana to the north and northwest, South Dakota and Nebraska to the east, Idaho t ...
'' (1928) as Mose
* ''
Ransom
Ransom refers to the practice of holding a prisoner or item to extort money or property to secure their release. It also refers to the sum of money paid by the other party to secure a captive's freedom.
When ransom means "payment", the word ...
'' (1928) as Oliver
* ''
Beggars of Life
''Beggars of Life'' is a 1928 American part-talkie sound film that was directed by William Wellman. Although the film featured sequences with audible dialogue, the majority of the film had a synchronized musical score with sound effects. The fi ...
'' (1928) as Black Mose
* ''
Do Your Duty'' (1928) as Dude Jackson
* ''
The Passion Song'' (1928) as Ulambo
* ''
The Phantom City'' (1928) as 'Blue'
* ''
Weary River'' (1929) as Prisoner in Bathtub (uncredited)
* ''
Black Magic
Black magic (Middle English: ''nigromancy''), sometimes dark magic, traditionally refers to the use of Magic (paranormal), magic or supernatural powers for evil and selfish purposes.
The links and interaction between black magic and religi ...
'' (1929) as Unit
* ''
Hallelujah'' (1929) as Church Member (uncredited)
* ''
Rio Rita'' (1929) as Fremont Bank Robber (uncredited)
* ''
Welcome Danger'' (1929) as Thorne's Black Henchman (uncredited)
* ''
Parade of the West'' (1930) as Sambo
* ''
Lucky Larkin'' (1930) as Hambone
* ''
Mountain Justice'' (1930) as Mose (uncredited)
* ''
The Cohens and the Kellys in Africa'' (1930) as Native Golf Champion (uncredited)
* ''
Desert Vengeance'' (1931) as Train Porter (uncredited)
* ''
Kiki'' (1931) (uncredited)
* ''
Guilty Hands'' (1931) as Johnny (uncredited)
* ''
Haunted Gold'' (1932) as Clarence
* ''
King Kong
King Kong, also referred to simply as Kong, is a fictional giant monster resembling a gorilla, who has appeared in various media since 1933. The character has since become an international pop culture icon,Erb, Cynthia, 1998, ''Tracking Kin ...
'' (1933) as Warrior (uncredited)
* ''
King of the Arena'' (1933) as Sambo (uncredited)
* ''
Her Bodyguard'' (1933) as Chauffeur (uncredited)
* ''
One Year Later
"One Year Later" is a 2006 comic book storyline running through the books published by DC Comics. As the title suggests, it involves a narrative jump exactly one year into the future of the DC Universe following the events of the "Infinite Crisi ...
'' (1933) as Train Porter (uncredited)
* ''
Goodbye Love'' (1933) as Jail Steward (uncredited)
* ''
Roman Scandals'' (1933) as Litter Bearer (uncredited)
* ''
Belle of the Nineties'' (1934) as Doorman at Sensation House (uncredited)
* ''
Menace'' (1934) as Kenya Manservant (uncredited)
* ''
The Whole Town's Talking'' (1935) as Bank Doorman (uncredited)
* ''
The Crusades
The Crusades were a series of religious wars initiated, supported, and at times directed by the Papacy during the Middle Ages. The most prominent of these were the campaigns to the Holy Land aimed at reclaiming Jerusalem and its surrounding t ...
'' (1935) as One of Saladin's Guards (uncredited)
* ''
The Virginia Judge'' (1935) as 1st Black Man (uncredited)
* ''
Annie Oakley
Annie Oakley (born Phoebe Ann Mosey; August 13, 1860 – November 3, 1926) was an American marksman, sharpshooter and folk heroine who starred in Buffalo Bill's Wild West.
Oakley developed hunting skills as a child to provide for her impoveris ...
'' (1935) as Cook (uncredited)
* ''
Escape from Devil's Island'' (1935) as Convict (uncredited)
* ''
The Prisoner of Shark Island'' (1936) as Black Soldier at Prison (uncredited)
* ''
The Plainsman'' (1936) as Black Man Dropping Box (uncredited)
* ''
White Hunter'' (1936) as Minor Role (uncredited)
* ''
Nancy Steele Is Missing!'' (1937) as Convict (uncredited)
* ''
Souls at Sea'' (1937) as Ship Slave (uncredited)
* ''
Charlie Chan on Broadway'' (1937) as Doorman at Hottentot Club (uncredited)
* ''
Ali Baba Goes to Town'' (1937) as Arab (uncredited)
* ''
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company is an American multinational financial services company with a significant global presence. The company operates in 35 countries and serves over 70 million customers worldwide. It is a systemically important fi ...
'' (1937) as Sam - Coachman (uncredited)
* ''
Tarzan's Revenge'' (1938) as Bearer Bringing Olaf Poison Darts (uncredited)
* ''
Over the Wall'' (1938) as Convict Playing Guitar (uncredited)
* ''
Too Hot to Handle'' (1938) as Native (uncredited)
* ''
The Cowboy and the Lady'' (1938) as Dock Worker (uncredited)
* ''
Kentucky
Kentucky (, ), officially the Commonwealth of Kentucky, is a landlocked U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio to the north, West Virginia to the ...
'' (1938) as Bill (uncredited)
* ''
Charlie Chan in Honolulu'' (1939) as Crewman (uncredited)
* ''
Twelve Crowded Hours'' (1939) as First Bartender (uncredited)
* ''
Rose of Washington Square'' (1939) as Prisoner (uncredited)
* ''
Charlie Chan in Reno'' (1939) as Man in Line-Up (uncredited)
* ''
Way Down South'' (1939) as Slave (uncredited)
* ''
Gone with the Wind Gone with the Wind most often refers to:
* Gone with the Wind (novel), ''Gone with the Wind'' (novel), a 1936 novel by Margaret Mitchell
* Gone with the Wind (film), ''Gone with the Wind'' (film), the 1939 adaptation of the novel
Gone with the Wind ...
'' (1939) as Renegade's Companion (uncredited)
* ''
The Light That Failed'' (1939) as Bit Part (uncredited)
* ''
The Long Voyage Home'' (1940) as Black Cook on Glencairn (uncredited)
* ''
A Girl, a Guy and a Gob'' (1941) as Opera House Doorman (uncredited)
* ''
Sundown'' (1941) as Askari Veteran (uncredited)
* ''
Lady for a Night'' (1942) as Man Sitting Next to Chloe (uncredited)
* ''
Law of the Jungle
"The law of the jungle" (also called jungle law) is an expression that has come to describe a scenario where "anything goes". The ''Oxford English Dictionary'' defines the Law of the Jungle as "''the code of survival in jungle life'', now usuall ...
'' (1942) as Native (uncredited)
* ''
Drums of the Congo'' (1942) as Native Bearer (uncredited)
* ''
It Happened in Flatbush'' (1942) as Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
* ''
Tales of Manhattan'' (1942) as Shantytown Man (Robeson sequence) (uncredited)
* ''
Road to Morocco
''Road to Morocco'' is a 1942 American comedy film starring Bing Crosby, Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour, and featuring Anthony Quinn and Dona Drake. Written by Frank Butler and Don Hartman and directed by David Butler, it’s the third of the " ...
'' (1942) as Nubian Slave (uncredited)
* ''
To the Ends of the Earth'' (1948) as Binda Sha Henchman (uncredited)
* ''
Tarzan's Magic Fountain'' (1949) as Native Bearer (uncredited)
* ''
Africa Screams'' (1949) as Native (uncredited)
* ''
Bomba, the Jungle Boy'' (1949) as Native Bearer (uncredited)
* ''
Pinky'' (1949) as Minor Role (uncredited)
* ''
Tarzan and the Slave Girl'' (1950) as Randini Bearer Shot by Arrow (uncredited)
* ''
I Was a Communist for the FBI'' (1951) as Black Man at Union Meeting (uncredited)
* ''
Angels in the Outfield'' (1951) as Doorman (uncredited)
* ''
Golden Girl'' (1951) as Lola's Coachman (uncredited)
* ''
Stars and Stripes Forever'' (1952) as Crowd Spectator (uncredited)
* ''
Siren of Bagdad'' (1953) as Palace Servant (uncredited)
* ''
The Kid from Left Field'' (1953) as Train Station Porter (uncredited)
* ''
The Wings of Eagles'' (1957) as Bartender at Officer's Club (uncredited)
* ''
The Hustler'' (1961) as Limping Attendant at Ames Billiards (final film) (uncredited)
References
Sources
*
External links
*
an
Seamheads
{{DEFAULTSORT:Washington, Blue
1898 births
1970 deaths
American male film actors
American male silent film actors
20th-century African-American male actors
20th-century American male actors
Chicago American Giants players
Kansas City Monarchs players
20th-century African-American sportsmen