Canada Lee

Canada Lee (March 3, 1907 – May 9, 1952) was an American actor who pioneered roles for African Americans. After careers as a jockey, boxer and musician, he became an actor in the Federal Theatre Project and stage productions by Orson Welles. A champion of civil rights in the 1930s and 1940s, he was blacklisted and died shortly before he was scheduled to appear before the House Un-American Activities Committee. Lee furthered the African-American tradition in theatre pioneered by such actors as Paul Robeson. Lee is the father of actor Carl Lee.