Timmie Rogers (July 4, 1914 – December 17, 2006) was an American comedian, singer-songwriter, bandleader and actor who appeared on many national TV shows in the 1960s and 1970s. Rogers was one of the first Black comedians allowed to directly address a white audience when he worked. Before Rogers, African-American funny men had to either work in pairs or groups, only conversing with each other, and they had to play a character, while popular white comedians, such as Bob Hope and Jack Benny got to play themselves. Rogers worked by himself, always dressed well, often wearing a tuxedo, and never wore blackface.His humor was clean, topical, and political. Rogers was inducted into the National Comedy Hall of Fame in 1993, and is often called the Jackie Robinson of comedy, because he opened the door for other performers such as Dick Gregory and Bill Cosby.
Began on the vaudeville stage as apart of the acrobatic dance team of Timmie and Freddie. Later spotted on TV variety and sitcoms.
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First African American comic to wear a tuxedo on stage. Many Black comics of his day still wore blackface well into the 1940s. Co-wrote Nat King Cole hit, "If You Can't Cry And Say Yes."
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Where I Live
1993
TV Series
Hubert
Martin
1993
TV Series
Another Man in Audience
The Five Heartbeats
1991
Buddy Lewis
227
1988
TV Series
Spencer Anderson
Frank's Place
1987
TV Series
Mason
Good Times
1978
TV Series
The Wino - Donald
Sparkle
1976
Comic M.C.
Sanford and Son
1975
TV Series
Smiley Rogers / Audience Member at taping behind Fred