Portrait of Bert Williams

Bert Williams

Acting

Biography

Bert Williams was a Bahamian-born American entertainer, one of the pre-eminent entertainers of the Vaudeville era and one of the most popular comedians for all audiences of his time. He is credited as being the first Black man to have the leading role in a film: Darktown Jubilee in 1914.

Born: November 12, 1874

Place of Birth: Nassau, British West Indies [now Bahamas]

Filmography

2000
Bamboozled

as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

1986
Ethnic Notions

as Self (archive footage)

1975
Black Shadows on a Silver Screen

as Self (archive footage)

1916
A Natural Born Gambler

as The Hon. Bert Williams, Walking Delegate