Grew up in Harlem, friends with Adam Clayton Powell

Changed name to Canada Lee

Joined the WPA's Federal Theater Project in Harlem

First stage performance as Banquo in Orson Welles's all-black "Macbeth"

Starred on Broadway in Orson Welles' production of Richard Wright's "Native Son"

Charged with larceny for alledgedly trying to sell an automobile that he had not made a payment on just as he was about to embark on national tour of "Native Son"; Welles's lawyer Arnold Weissberger kept him from prison after a protracted court battle

Film debut in "Lifeboat"

Starred in white-face on Broadway in "The Duchess of Malfi"

Signed with Enterprise films

Sole TV appearance on "Tele Theatre"'s "The Final Bell"

Underwent a sympathectomy (surgical interruption of sympathetic nerve pathways) to relieve high blood pressure