November 22nd in African American History – Benjamin Sherman “Scatman” Crothers

November 22, 1986 Benjamin Sherman “Scatman” Crothers, actor, singer and musician, died.

Crothers was born May 23, 1910 in Terre Haute, Indiana. He started his career as a 15 year old drummer in a speakeasy band and by the 1930s had his own band.

In 1948, Crothers moved to California and made his film debut in the 1953 movie, “Meet Me At The Fair.” Other films that he appeared in include “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” (1975), “Silver Streak” (1976), and “The Shining” (1980). Crothers also made guest appearances on many television shows, including “Dragnet” (1967), “Ironside” (1973), “Sanford and Son” (1974), and “Magnum P. I.” (1980).