Bill Robinson

Born on May 25, 1878 in Richmond, Virginia

May 25, 1878

Robinson entered a buck and wing dance contest at the Bijou Theater in Brooklyn, New York winning a gold medal.

Mar 30, 1900

After 1930's black stage revues waned in popularity, but Robinson remained in vogue with white audiences for more than a decade in some motion pictures produced

Nov 21, 1931

Dixiana was followed by Robinson starring role in "Harlem is Heaven 1932, which sometimes gets cited as the first film with an all black cast

Nov 21, 1932

Robinson played a mayor of Harlem modeled after his own ceremonial honor in "One Mile from Heaven

Nov 21, 1935

in "One Mile from Heaven" he played a romantic lead opposite African American actress Fredi Washington after Hollywood had relaxed its taboo against such roles for blacks

Nov 21, 1937

Robinson film debut was in the RKO Pictures 1930 musical Dixiana

Jan 21, 1939

Robinson returned to the stage in "The Hot Mikado, a jazz version of the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta

Nov 1, 1939

Died at the age of 71 in New York City, New York on November 25, 1949

Nov 25, 1949

Legacy

Nov 21, 1973

in 1972, a statue of "Bojangles" sculpted by Jack Witt at the intersection of Adams and West Leigh Streets was established in a small park at the intersection.