Actor. He ws the son of Cynthia and Harry Moore. At age 11, he left school and joined a vaudeville troupe, appearing in an act called Cora Miskel and Her Gold Dust Twins. After leaving the act some four years later, he worked a medicine show that played across the Midwest. As a young man, he became a professional boxer in the featherweight division, he won 84 of 104 starts, and completed his career as a middleweight. In 1908, he returned to the stage, performing a one-man production of 'Uncle Tom's Cabin.' Back on the vaudeville circuit, he teamed with his first wife, and they performed as 'The Moores - Tim & Hester.' Their success led to a tour of Japan, Australia, China, New Zealand, Hawaii and the Fiji Islands. After the couple divorced in 1915, he worked a new vaudeville act with his second wife, culminating in such musical revues as 'Take the Air,' 'Shuffle Along,' 'Rhapsody in Black,' and 'Lucky Sambo.' He appeared on Broadway in 'Blackbirds' (1928), in 'Harlem Scandals' and 'Blackberries' in 1932, and 'Harlem Cavalcade' (1942). He made several movie appearances as well, such as 'His Great Chance' (1923); 'Darktown Revue' (1931); and 'Boy! What a Girl!' (1947) before retiring in 1950. When the decision was made to produce a television version of the popular 'Amos 'n' Andy' radio show, the role of George 'Kingfish' Stevens, head of the Mystic Knights of the Sea lodge, and an appealing scoundrel, was offered only to Moore. It would become the role that would be forever linked to him. After 50 years in show business, he suddenly became a nationally recognized celebrity. The show premiered in June 1951, and ran on CBS through June 1953. He succumbed to tuberculosis some five years later. Over 10,000 people were said to have paid tribute at his funeral. His grave remained unmarked for twenty-five years due to a lack of funds, until fans such as Redd Foxx contributed toward placing a memorial stone.
Actor. He ws the son of Cynthia and Harry Moore. At age 11, he left school and joined a vaudeville troupe, appearing in an act called Cora Miskel and Her Gold Dust Twins. After leaving the act some four years later, he worked a medicine show that played across the Midwest. As a young man, he became a professional boxer in the featherweight division, he won 84 of 104 starts, and completed his career as a middleweight. In 1908, he returned to the stage, performing a one-man production of 'Uncle Tom's Cabin.' Back on the vaudeville circuit, he teamed with his first wife, and they performed as 'The Moores - Tim & Hester.' Their success led to a tour of Japan, Australia, China, New Zealand, Hawaii and the Fiji Islands. After the couple divorced in 1915, he worked a new vaudeville act with his second wife, culminating in such musical revues as 'Take the Air,' 'Shuffle Along,' 'Rhapsody in Black,' and 'Lucky Sambo.' He appeared on Broadway in 'Blackbirds' (1928), in 'Harlem Scandals' and 'Blackberries' in 1932, and 'Harlem Cavalcade' (1942). He made several movie appearances as well, such as 'His Great Chance' (1923); 'Darktown Revue' (1931); and 'Boy! What a Girl!' (1947) before retiring in 1950. When the decision was made to produce a television version of the popular 'Amos 'n' Andy' radio show, the role of George 'Kingfish' Stevens, head of the Mystic Knights of the Sea lodge, and an appealing scoundrel, was offered only to Moore. It would become the role that would be forever linked to him. After 50 years in show business, he suddenly became a nationally recognized celebrity. The show premiered in June 1951, and ran on CBS through June 1953. He succumbed to tuberculosis some five years later. Over 10,000 people were said to have paid tribute at his funeral. His grave remained unmarked for twenty-five years due to a lack of funds, until fans such as Redd Foxx contributed toward placing a memorial stone.
Bio by: Iola
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