- Born
- Died
- Birth nameClarence Edouard Muse
- Height5′ 6″ (1.68 m)
- Clarence Muse was born on October 14, 1889 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA as Clarence Edouard Muse. He was an actor, known for Shadow of a Doubt (1943) and The Black Stallion (1979). He was married to Irene Ena Kellman, Willabelle Burch West and Ophelia Belle Labertier. He died on October 13, 1979 in Perris, California, USA- IMDb Mini Biography By: Anonymous
- SpousesIrene Ena Kellman(July 30, 1954 - October 13, 1979) (his death)Willabelle Burch West(January 15, 1925 - November 19, 1948) (divorced, 1 child)Ophelia Belle Labertier(1909 - December 6, 1923) (her death, 2 children)
- Children
- ParentsAlexander MuseMary A. Kellam
- Was the first African-American to "star" in a film.
- Holding a law degree from Pennsylvania's Dickinson University, Clarence requested that he be addressed as Dr. Muse in later years.
- An outspoken proponent for the positive treatment of black performers, Muse fought demeaning stereotypes for most his career. Ironically, he was a staunch supporter of the controversial black-oriented TV series The Amos 'n Andy Show (1951). He insisted that, despite the standard caricatures of the title players, the series allowed black actors to portray white-collar roles such as doctors, bankers, judges, and professors, generally not done in white-oriented series.
- In his salad days, Muse appeared as an opera singer, a minstrel performer and a vaudeville actor. He also composed songs and wrote plays and sketches, and was considered a pioneer in the 'black theatre' movement.
- Was the first black director of a Broadway show in 1943, "Run Little Chillun", described as a 'negro folk play with music'.
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