Bert Williams (1876—1922,) byname of Egbert Austin Williams, was a Bahamian-born American comedian and entertainer who portrayed the slow-witted, shuffling black man that was then a traditional role in vaudeville. Williams was well-liked for impeccable comedic timing and pantomimes and was known during his lifetime as “the funniest man in America.”
Born in New Providence, Bahamas, Williams met his partner George Walker in San Francisco in 1893, when he began performing to finance his studies at Stanford University. They worked their way to New York, where they appeared in Victor Herbert’s Gold Bug in 1896. The two performed in such musical comedy hits as The Sons of Ham (1900,) In Dahomey (1902,) Abyssinia (1905,) and Bandanna Land (1907.)
After Walker retired, Williams starred in Mr. Lode of Koal (1909) and then performed with impresario Florenz Ziegfeld’s Follies (1910–19.) In 1920, Williams joined Eddie Cantor in Broadway Brevities. With Darktown Jubilee (1914,) he became the first Black man to have the leading role in a film.
Biographies include Ann Charters’s Nobody: The Story of Bert Williams (1970) and Eric Lidell Smith’s Bert Williams: A Biography of the Pioneer Black Comedian (1992.)
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Bert Williams
There was never a night or a problem that could defeat sunrise or hope.
—Bert Williams
We grow a little every time we do not take advantage of somebody’s weakness.
—Bert Williams
Topics: Growth
Talent is a flame. Genius is a fire.
—Bert Williams
Topics: Genius
Ideas are like wandering sons. They show up when you least expect them.
—Bert Williams
Topics: Ideas, Learning
We may pass violets looking for roses. We may pass contentment looking for victory.
—Bert Williams
Topics: Balance, Winning
A friend is a lot of things, but a critic he isn’t.
—Bert Williams
Topics: Criticism, Critics, Friendship
The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day he created Spring.
—Bert Williams
Topics: Hope, Spring, General
An extravagance is something that your spirit thinks is a necessity.
—Bert Williams
Topics: Necessity
The average man will bristle if you say his father was dishonest, but he will brag a little if he discovers that his great-grandfather was a pirate.
—Bert Williams
Topics: Perspective
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