Stereotypes of African Americans: Celebrities in the early 20th Century

Imagery & Stereotyping Explained

Black Caricatures

How some people try to distance themselves from these images

Black (and "Blackface") Celebrities
This small collection features images of some of the more famous Black celebrities in the first half of the 20th Century. Many Caucasian Americans formed their impressions of Black people from such notables as boxer Jack Johnson and actor Stepin' Fetchit, who made a career for himself mastering the coon role in films. Other Black celebrities weren't Black at all, but White actors in "blackface," a makeup made of burnt cork. For more on this phenomeon, see the section on minstrel music and coon songs.

c.1910s Boys' Friend Picture Gallery card of Boxer Jack Johnson	c.1920s Tobacco Card featuring actor Stepin' Fetchit	1920s Postcard featuring actor Stepin' Fetchit (autographed)	1930s 78rpm record set featuring radio "blackface" comedic characters Amos 'n' Andy	c.1930s Moran and Mack "TheTwo Black Crows" advertisment

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