Robeson, Paul (Bustill)

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Robeson, Paul (Bustill) (b Princeton, NJ, 1898; d Philadelphia, 1976). Amer. bass and actor. Studied as lawyer, but in 1922 entered professional th. as actor in O'Neill plays. Won int. renown in Kern's musical Show Boat (1927) when he sang ‘Ol’ Man River’. Famous as singer of Negro spirituals. Appeared in films (Sanders of the River, etc.) and was a notable Othello. Career halted in 1950s when he fell into disfavour in USA because of alleged Communist sympathies.

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Robeson, Paul (Bustill)