What's After the Movie
Clarence Muse
Clarence Muse (October 14, 1889 – October 13, 1979) was a pioneering African‑American *actor, screenwriter, director, singer*, and composer whose career spanned more than five decades and over 150 film appearances. Born in **Baltimore, Maryland** to Alexander and Mary Muse, he briefly attended Dickinson School of Law in 1908 before abandoning a legal career he felt was barred to Black men of his era. Instead, Muse immersed himself in the cultural explosion of the Harlem Renaissance, performing with the Lincoln and Lafayette Players and gaining acclaim for his powerful stage presence. His work with the Lafayette Players under producer Robert Levy helped elevate Black performers, and his interpretation of roles such as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was hailed as a reflection of the dualities faced by Black Americans. After a stint in Chicago, he migrated to Hollywood where he secured the starring role in the landmark 1929 all‑Black musical *Hearts in Dixie*, becoming the first African American to headline a major studio feature. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s he wrote songs—including the classic “When It’s Sleepy Time Down South” with the Renés—appeared in groundbreaking films like *The Broken Earth* and *Spirit of Youth*, and co‑authored the script for *Way Down South* with Langston Hughes, demonstrating a rare blend of artistic versatility and cultural advocacy.
In addition to his on‑screen work, Muse broke barriers behind the curtain, becoming the first African‑American Broadway director with *Run Little Chillun* in 1943. He served the USO during World War II, appeared regularly on television—including a notable role as Sam the pianist in the TV adaptation of *Casablanca*—and continued acting into the 1970s with credits such as *Buck and the Preacher*, *The World’s Greatest Athlete*, and his final appearance in *The Black Stallion* (1979). Recognized for his contributions, he received honorary doctorates from Dickinson School of Law (1978) and Bishop College (1972) and was inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame in 1973. Muse’s legacy endures as a testament to resilience and artistic excellence, having paved the way for countless Black performers in cinema and theater.
Biography, Career & Filmography
Learn more about Clarence Muse, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how Clarence Muse rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.
Given Name: Clarence Muse
Born: Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Citizenship: United States
Birthday: October 14, 1889
Occupations: actor, screenwriter, director, singer, composer
Years Active: 1921-1979
Children: 3
Spouses: Willabelie, Irene Ena
External Links and Streaming Options
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Movies Featuring Clarence Muse
Safe in Hell
Porgy and Bess
Shadow of a Doubt
Show Boat
Alice in Movieland
Car Wash
The Personality Kid
Lena Rivers
Tales of Manhattan
Welcome Stranger
Flesh and Fantasy
From Hell to Heaven
Unconquered
Adam Had Four Sons
Jam Session
Buck and the Preacher
Two Smart People
The Cabin in the Cotton
Prestige
Kid Millions
San Diego I Love You
Broken Strings
Kisses for Breakfast
Love Crazy
Maryland
White Zombie
Apache Drums
Chad Hanna
Passing Through
An Act of Murder
Scarlet Street
The Great Dan Patch
The Soul of a Monster
Johnny Come Lately
Jungle Queen
Red Hot Tires
Caribbean
Outside the Law
The Life of Jimmy Dolan
Among the Living
Dirigible
Rain or Shine
My Forbidden Past
Twin Beds
Washington Merry-Go-Round
Massacre
If I Had a Million
Broadway Bill
So Red the Rose
Way Down South
The Mind Reader
A Very Honorable Guy
Hallelujah
Big City Blues
My Favorite Brunette
O’Shaughnessy’s Boy
That Gang of Mine
Murder Over New York
The Sun Shines Bright
Frisco Jenny
New York Nights
The Thin Man Goes Home
Prison Train
The Wet Parade
Heaven Can Wait
Daniel Boone
God Is My Co-Pilot
Spirit of Youth
Katie Did It
Night World
Riding High
Winner Take All
The Talk of the Town
The Flame of New Orleans
Muss ’em Up
The Toy Wife
She Couldn’t Say No
Huckleberry Finn
Hell’s Highway
Invisible Ghost
Jamaica Run
Sherlock Holmes in Washington
She Wouldn’t Say Yes
Belle Starr
The Death Kiss
In the Meantime, Darling
The World’s Greatest Athlete
Laughter in Hell
Attorney for the Defense
Spendthrift
Career Timeline
Track the complete movie timeline of Clarence Muse, including all film releases, career breakthroughs, and notable roles. Follow their journey from early performances to recent blockbusters and upcoming projects.
1947
Welcome Stranger
Clarence, Train Waiter (uncredited)
Unconquered
Jason
My Favorite Brunette
Second Man on Death Row (uncredited)
1945
Scarlet Street
Ben - Bank Janitor (uncredited)
Jungle Queen
Kyba
God Is My Co-Pilot
Frank (uncredited)
She Wouldn’t Say Yes
Porter (uncredited)
1944
Jam Session
Henry
San Diego I Love You
Porter (uncredited)
The Soul of a Monster
Entertainer (uncredited)
The Thin Man Goes Home
Porter on Train (uncredited)
In the Meantime, Darling
Henry
1943
Shadow of a Doubt
Flesh and Fantasy
Jeff (uncredited)
Johnny Come Lately
Butler
Heaven Can Wait
Jasper (uncredited)
Sherlock Holmes in Washington
George
1942
Tales of Manhattan
Grandpa (Robeson sequence)
Twin Beds
George
The Talk of the Town
Supreme Court Doorkeeper (uncredited)
1941
Adam Had Four Sons
Sam (uncredited)
Kisses for Breakfast
Old Jeff
Love Crazy
Robert - Hat Check Man at Party
Among the Living
The Flame of New Orleans
Samuel, Carriage Driver
Invisible Ghost
Evans the Butler
Belle Starr
Bootblack in Saloon (uncredited)
1940
Alice in Movieland
Train Porter
Broken Strings
Arthur Williams
Maryland
Reverend Bitters
Chad Hanna
Henry Prince
That Gang of Mine
Ben
Murder Over New York
Party Server
1934
The Personality Kid
Shamrock
Kid Millions
Native (uncredited)
Massacre
Sam
Broadway Bill
Whitey
A Very Honorable Guy
Black Man
1933
From Hell to Heaven
Sam
The Life of Jimmy Dolan
Masseur
The Mind Reader
Sam
Laughter in Hell
Abraham Jackson
1932
Lena Rivers
Curfew
The Cabin in the Cotton
A Blind Negro
Prestige
Nham
White Zombie
Coach driver
Washington Merry-Go-Round
Clarence
If I Had a Million
Death Row Singing Prisoner (uncredited)
Big City Blues
Nightclub Singer (uncredited)
Frisco Jenny
Voice of Singer (uncredited)
The Wet Parade
Taylor Tibbs
Night World
Tim Washington, the Doorman
Winner Take All
Rosebud, the Trainer
Hell’s Highway
Rascal
The Death Kiss
Shoeshine Man
Attorney for the Defense
Jefferson Q. Leffingwell
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