Bill Robinson

By s.leatherbury
  • Born

    Born

  • Began dancing

    Began dancing

    Robinson began dancing for a living in loval beer gardens

  • Parents' death

    Both of his parents passed away in 1885

  • Joined Mayme Remington's touring troupe

  • Joined a traveling company

    Joined a traveling company

    Later performing as a vaudeville act

  • Married

    Got married to Lena Chase

  • Obtained a manager

    Met Marty Forkins who became his manager

  • Served as a rifleman in World War I

  • Divorced

    Marriage with Lena Chase ended

  • Married 2nd time

    Got married to Fannie S. Clay

  • Appeared before his first white audience

  • Starred on Broadway

    Starred on Broadway in highly successful musical revue of 1908

  • Was in film The Little Colonel

  • Played in the film The Little Rebel

  • Cofounded the New York Black Yankees team

  • Played in Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm

  • Played in Just Around the Corner

  • Performed in The Hot Mikado

    The Hot Mikado is a jazz inspired interpretation of Gilbert and Sullivan's operetta

  • Divorced (2nd time)

    Clay and Robinson got a divorce

  • Got married to Elaine Plaines

    Were together until his death in 1949

  • Death