Born: 1901-2000
Nationality: American
Education/Training: gave up studies at Massachusetts Agriculture College, went on to graduate from Tufts University in 1928 and studied music at Juilliard
Best Known For: being a composer, songwriter, arranger, choral conductor and actor
Notable Compositions: wrote the song Mary's Boy Child, Amen, traditional African American spirituals
Assignments: began his early career as a choir conductor, specifically on Broadway, which led to singing and acting in plays, films, radio programs, and television; in 1937 became a founding member of the Screen Actors Guild
Curious Facts: has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Notable Recordings: most film work was in the field of composing, arranging and choral conducting, but had small bit parts in St. Louis Blues, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Alamo, and Being John Malkovich
