Jester Hairston Biography

Fast Facts

• Traveled the world as a goodwill ambassador for the State Department
• Studied Landscape Design at the Massachusetts Agricultural College and later graduated from Tufts University with a degree in Music in 1928
• Started out as an assistant conductor for the Hall Johnson choir in 1935 after they were hired to sing for the film "The Green Pastures․"
• Quote: "I decided that I wanted to make my mark in folk songs because my grandparents were slaves․ I wanted to keep that music alive․"
• Quote: "(On the civil rights movement): "We had a hard time then fighting for dignity․ We had no power․ We had to take it, and because we took it, the young people today have greater opportunities․""
• Composed and arranged more than 300 choral spirituals during his career, including his most famous, "Amen," for the film "Lilies of the Field," in which he also dubbed Sidney Poitier's singing
• Worked with composer Dimitri Tiomkin for 20 years on the choral arrangements for films like "Red River," "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon," and "Land of the Pharaohs․"
• Best known as a choral conductor, composer, and actor who played Rolly Forbes in "Amen․"
• Played the role of Henry Van Porter in both the radio and television versions of "The Amos 'n Andy Show․"
• Appeared in bit parts in Hollywood films to supplement his income, including several "Tarzan" films