archytele The Vault

Alvin Childress

Acting Born Sep 14, 1907 Meridian, Mississippi, USA 24 credits

Biography

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

American actor who is best known for playing the cabdriver Amos Jones in the 1950s television comedy series Amos 'n Andy. Alvin Childress was born in Meridian, Mississippi. He was educated at Rust College, from which he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. When he initially entered college, Childress intended to become a doctor, enrolling in typical pre-med courses. He had no thoughts of becoming involved in acting, but became involved in theater outside of classes.

Childress and Rex Ingram in the Federal Theatre Project production of Haiti (1938)

Childress moved to New York City and became an actor with Harlem's Lafayette Players, a troupe of stock players associated with the Lafayette Theatre. Soon, he was engaged as an actor in the Federal Theater Project, the American Negro Theater, and in all-black race film productions such as Keep Punching (1939). His greatest success on the stage was his performance as Noah in the popular comedy, Anna Lucasta, which ran for 957 performances. He also worked at Teachers College of Columbia University.[3][8] Childress also operated his own radio and record store in New York City. When he learned about casting for the Amos 'n Andy television series, Childress decided to audition for a role. He was hired a year before the show went on the air.

Ask the Vault

Ask anything about Alvin Childress.

Known for

Perry Mason

as Janitor

The Jeffersons

1975

Sanford and Son

1972
Film

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

1982

Fish

1977

Amos 'n' Andy

as Amos Jones
Film

Thunderbolt and Lightfoot

as The Janitor
Film

The Day of the Locust

as Butler
Film

Cheech & Chong's Next Movie

as Pinochle Player
Film

High Time

as Guest Announcer at Judge Carter's Ball (uncredited)

Full filmography

  • Perry Mason (1957) as Janitor
  • The Jeffersons (1975)
  • Sanford and Son (1972)
  • Good Times (1974)
  • Fish (1977)
  • Amos 'n' Andy (1951) as Amos Jones
  • Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974) as The Janitor
  • The Day of the Locust (1975) as Butler
  • The Main Event (1979) as Man In Gym
  • Cheech & Chong's Next Movie (1980) as Pinochle Player
  • The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings (1976) as Horace
  • High Time (1960) as Guest Announcer at Judge Carter's Ball (uncredited)
  • Banyon (1971) as Mr. Clayton
  • Sister, Sister (1982) as Mr. Jacobs
  • Darktown Strutters (1975) as Bo
  • Old Man (1958) as Farmer on Levee
  • Jasper Goes Hunting (1944) as Professor Scarecrow (voice) (uncredited)
  • Anna Lucasta (1958) as Noah
  • Jasper and the Haunted House (1942) as Blackbird (uncredited)
  • Jasper's Music Lesson (1943) as Professor Scarecrow (voice)
  • Senior Power (1975) as Prowling Victim
  • Say Ah, Jasper (1944) as Professor Scarecrow (uncredited) (voice)
  • Package for Jasper (1944) as Professor Scarecrow (voice)
  • Amos 'n' Andy: Anatomy of a Controversy (1983) as Self