Bert Williams

Date of Birth: November 12, 1874

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: March 4, 1922

Biography

Bert Williams, born Egbert Austin Williams, was a pioneering Bahamian-American entertainer who became one of the most significant figures in early American entertainment. Born on November 12, 1874, in Nassau, Bahamas, Williams moved to the United States with his family when he was 11 years old. He began his career in vaudeville and quickly rose to fame as a comedian, singer, and actor. Williams was one of the first black performers to break through racial barriers in the entertainment industry, becoming a star in both black and white communities. Williams gained widespread recognition as part of the vaudeville duo Williams and Walker, alongside his partner George Walker. The duo was known for their minstrel shows, which were a staple of American entertainment at the time. Despite the racial stereotypes prevalent in minstrel performances, Williams used his platform to challenge and subvert these stereotypes, often infusing his performances with subtle social commentary. In 1903, Williams and Walker produced and starred in the musical “In Dahomey,” which was the first full-length musical written and performed by African Americans to be presented on Broadway. After Walker’s health declined, Williams continued his career as a solo artist, becoming the first black performer to have a leading role on Broadway when he starred in the Ziegfeld Follies from 1910 to 1919. Williams was also a recording artist, and his records were immensely popular, helping to further solidify his status as a trailblazer in the entertainment industry. He passed away on March 4, 1922, in New York City, leaving behind a legacy that would influence generations of performers.

5 Interesting Facts about Bert Williams

1. Bert Williams was the first black performer to star in the Ziegfeld Follies, a series of elaborate theatrical productions on Broadway.

2. He was a prolific recording artist, with his song “Nobody” becoming one of the most popular songs of the early 20th century.

3. Williams was awarded the Spingarn Medal by the NAACP in 1918 for his outstanding achievements in the arts.

4. Despite the racial discrimination of his time, Williams became one of the highest-paid performers of his era.

5. He often used humor to subtly critique and challenge racial stereotypes, making his work both entertaining and socially significant.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Bert Williams

1. “It’s no disgrace to be a black man, but it’s terribly inconvenient.”

2. “There ain’t no use in me preachin’ to you. You know what’s right and what’s wrong.”

3. “I have never been able to discover that there was anything disgraceful in being a colored man. But I have often found it inconvenient—in America.”

4. “I don’t care what you think of me, so long as you think.”

5. “I have my own philosophy. I have learned that I cannot please everyone, so I will do what pleases me.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At his peak, Bert Williams was one of the highest-paid entertainers of his time, with an estimated net worth of around $250,000, which would be equivalent to several million dollars today.