Norman Astwood(1902-1994)
- Actor
Handsome Norman Astwood was a talented actor and singer from the 1920s
to the early 1940s. He also became a leading actor of the race film
genre (Black Cinema) in the late 1930s and early 1940s.
Norman Astwood was born in the British West Indies and was educated at
Wolmer's. He was a Jamaican who grew up in Kingston, Jamaica, and in
1912, he and his family was one of millions who immigrated to America
through the legendary Ellis Island. Norman was furthered educated at
the City College in New York. When the first world war broke out Norman
enlisted and served as an aviator in the British Army, being
commissioned as Leuitantant. In the 1920s, Norman returned to the
United States after the war and launched his career as an actor,
singer, and overall entertainer on stage, radio, and later screen.
Norman earned his first success in one of the first popular black
Broadway musical comedies "Blackbirds of 1926." In 1929, Norman went to
England with the Lew Leslie Blackbirds revue which had a highly
successful run in London.
Singing was another one of Norman's talents, he sung at various popular
venues and on the radio in the 1930s, awing audiences with his dynamic
and heartfelt singing. In 1935, Norman appeared as master of ceremonies
in the Universal film short "Harlem Bound" and he sung the emotional
"Machinery." Norman attained screen success as an actor (when he was in
his late 30's) in race films a.k.a Black Cinema films, "Paradise In
Harlem," "Sunday Sinners" and "Murder on Lenox Avenue": these were the
best films of the genre partly because of Norman's dominating presence
and talent. Race films were the only films Norman could display his
talent since he was too light and not the Stepin Fetchit type to appear
in Hollywood films. In only three films Norman showed more acting
skills then most in numerous films; his naturalness, convincingness,
great knack for timing, and powerful presence and strong voice brought
his characters alive always giving a pleasing, complimentary
performance. Norman usually portrayed tough, intimidating, macho types
and played them perfectly. He played men you love to hate but he added
charm, magnetic appeal, and his rugged good looks that drew audiences
to him and made him attractive. He was the Clark Gable of race films.
To add to his image he had a distinct accented voice that he became
very known for. When not acting, throughout the 1930s and 1940s,
Norman entertained at various premier nightclubs and theaters like the
famed Apollo theater.
In World War II, Norman served as a captain in the U.S. Army and he
still performed during the war but retired from show business before
the war ended.
to the early 1940s. He also became a leading actor of the race film
genre (Black Cinema) in the late 1930s and early 1940s.
Norman Astwood was born in the British West Indies and was educated at
Wolmer's. He was a Jamaican who grew up in Kingston, Jamaica, and in
1912, he and his family was one of millions who immigrated to America
through the legendary Ellis Island. Norman was furthered educated at
the City College in New York. When the first world war broke out Norman
enlisted and served as an aviator in the British Army, being
commissioned as Leuitantant. In the 1920s, Norman returned to the
United States after the war and launched his career as an actor,
singer, and overall entertainer on stage, radio, and later screen.
Norman earned his first success in one of the first popular black
Broadway musical comedies "Blackbirds of 1926." In 1929, Norman went to
England with the Lew Leslie Blackbirds revue which had a highly
successful run in London.
Singing was another one of Norman's talents, he sung at various popular
venues and on the radio in the 1930s, awing audiences with his dynamic
and heartfelt singing. In 1935, Norman appeared as master of ceremonies
in the Universal film short "Harlem Bound" and he sung the emotional
"Machinery." Norman attained screen success as an actor (when he was in
his late 30's) in race films a.k.a Black Cinema films, "Paradise In
Harlem," "Sunday Sinners" and "Murder on Lenox Avenue": these were the
best films of the genre partly because of Norman's dominating presence
and talent. Race films were the only films Norman could display his
talent since he was too light and not the Stepin Fetchit type to appear
in Hollywood films. In only three films Norman showed more acting
skills then most in numerous films; his naturalness, convincingness,
great knack for timing, and powerful presence and strong voice brought
his characters alive always giving a pleasing, complimentary
performance. Norman usually portrayed tough, intimidating, macho types
and played them perfectly. He played men you love to hate but he added
charm, magnetic appeal, and his rugged good looks that drew audiences
to him and made him attractive. He was the Clark Gable of race films.
To add to his image he had a distinct accented voice that he became
very known for. When not acting, throughout the 1930s and 1940s,
Norman entertained at various premier nightclubs and theaters like the
famed Apollo theater.
In World War II, Norman served as a captain in the U.S. Army and he
still performed during the war but retired from show business before
the war ended.