Hamtree Harrington

James Carl "Hamtree" Harrington was a popular American comedian in the 1900s.[1] He helped found the Negro Actors' Guild of America.[2]

Early Life

James Carl Harrington was born in Columbia, South Carolina in 1889.[1] At 14 years old, Harrington dropped out of school, ran away from home, and joined a traveling carnival.[1][3]

Vaudeville Career

Upon leaving the carnival, Harrington took work as a comedian and Black vaudeville performer, moonlighting as a barber when stage work was unavailable.[1] Throughout the late 1920s, Harrington worked as a vaudeville performer, often teaming up with well-known Black female performers.[3] In the 1930s, Harrington began to perform solo. During that time, he acted in movies, started a singing career, and helped found the Negro Actors' Guild of America.[2] Harrington's last show was in 1952.[3] The genesis of Harrington's stage name, "Hamtree," is unknown, although it could have come from his large feet.[1]

Personal Life

Early in his career, Harrington romanced a chorus girl named Edna Murray.[3] That relationship produced a son.[3] Not long after, Harrington toured with Maude Mills, a vaudeville actress, who he married in 1916. Their marriage lasted five years.[1] Harrington never remarried again before his death in 1956.[3]

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References

Cullen, Frank; Hackman, Florence; McNeilly, Donald (2007). "Hamtree Harrington". Vaudeville old & new: an encyclopedia of variety performances in America. Routledge. pp. 488–489. ISBN 978-0-415-93853-2.
Franklin, Benjamin V (2016). "Hamtree, Harrington (James Carl)". An Encyclopedia of South Carolina Jazz and Blues Musicians. University of South Carolina Press. ISBN 978-1-61117-622-3.
Wintz, Cary D.; Finkelman, Paul, eds. (2004). "Hamtree, James Carl 'Hamtree'". Encyclopedia of the Harlem Renaissance: A-J. Taylor & Francis. pp. 537–538. ISBN 978-1-57958-457-3.

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[:0-1] Cullen, Frank; Hackman, Florence; McNeilly, Donald (2007). "Hamtree Harrington". Vaudeville old & new: an encyclopedia of variety performances in America. Routledge. pp. 488–489. ISBN 978-0-415-93853-2.

[:1-2] Franklin, Benjamin V (2016). "Hamtree, Harrington (James Carl)". An Encyclopedia of South Carolina Jazz and Blues Musicians. University of South Carolina Press. ISBN 978-1-61117-622-3.

[:2-3] Wintz, Cary D.; Finkelman, Paul, eds. (2004). "Hamtree, James Carl 'Hamtree'". Encyclopedia of the Harlem Renaissance: A-J. Taylor & Francis. pp. 537–538. ISBN 978-1-57958-457-3.