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Canada Lee |
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Canada Lee was born as Leonard Lionel Cornelius Canegata during 1907 in New York City.(1) He had an interest in boxing as a child and became a professional prize fighter from 1926-1933.(3) After competing in a boxing event that left him blinded in one eye, Canada tried acting. As he struggled to establish a career during the 1930s and 1940s, he insisted on playing non-stereotypical roles that were uncommon to Negro actors at that time. His role as Bigger Thomas, in the Broadway production, Native Son (1941) was his most remembered part. Lee's character intertwined with his real life persona as he challenged politics of America.(2) Lee is also known for his part in "Lifeboat"(1944). He concerned himself with speaking out about the casting of Black actors for certain roles. |
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Canada Lee 1907-1952
Courtsey of Colored Reflections |
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"I will not twist my dignity out of shape to fit anybody's custom." |
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Lee was Blacklisted for his affiliation to a "Communist front� organization which led to him being banned from television. According to an FBI file by Judith Coplon, a Justice Department employee who passed on information to her Russian lover, several actors including Lee were named as "outstanding fellow travelers".(1) This information along with Lee's previous history regarding racial matters convienced people that he was a threat to American society. With government support, the entertainment industry was able to deny him any future work in field.
According to Stefan Kanfer, Lee still had enough pull to call a press conference at the Apollo Theatre in New York to denouce the claims of communism.(1) He also let society know that he would never end his fight on racial injustice.
"I believe this constant screech of 'communism' is only a smoke screen designed to hide very unpleasant facts.... I freely admit that my work, my art, my livelihood is very much affected by the irresponsible, nebulous, false insinuations directed at my name."
"I shall continue to speak my mind...I shall continue to help my people gain their rightful place in this America." |
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Lifeboat (1944)
Courtsey of Colored Reflections |
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Canada's final act was played during a meeting in which he protested against the shooting of two black men by an ex-policeman.(1) The following quote by Lee was taken from close friend Stephen Kanfer. Lee ended his speech by touching upon the struggle blacks have with their American identity,
"I am a black man, and black men have been killed, and I must be emotional.... When I think that America, this great and tremendous country, has been built on the backs and sweat of my people; when I think that in every war my people have died for this country; and when I know that my people cannot walk the streets here in safety, I feel bad." |
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Acting Credits
Native Son, 1941; Lifeboat, 1944; Othello, 1944; The Tempest, 1945; The Duchess of Malfi, 1946; Body and Soul, 1947; and Cry, the Beloved Country, 1952. |
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1. Canada Lee. Biographies. <www.africanpubs.com/Apps/bios/0082LeeCanada.>
2. Gill, Glenda E. Canada Lee: Black Actor in Non-Traditional Roles. Journal of Popular Culture,
p.79-89.
3. Nighteen Fourties People. Colored Reflections. <http://classicfilm.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.coloredreflections.com/decades> |
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