Reginald Fenderson

Reginald Hartley Fenderson (December 28, 1911 – August 16, 1986) was an American actor in theatrical productions and films in the United States. He appeared in various films with African American casts in the 1930s and 1940s.

Reginald Fenderson was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on December 28, 1911.[1] His father, Alfonso Fenderson, was the original actor who portrayed Moses in the play, The Green Pastures.[2]

Reginald Fenderson was an actor on the stage version and road tour of Green Pastures, playing the characters Joshua and the magician for at least five years.[3] He played a feature role in the 1939 film Reform School,[4] as an inmate named Freddie Gordon. The newspaper The Washington Afro-American stated that Fenderson "[handled] the role Freddie Gordon with admirable restraint, and is never guilty of melodramatics in a part that easily lends itself to over-portrayal."[5]

Fenderson married Ella J. in 1933. They filed for divorce in 1938.[3]

Fenderson served as a Private in the United States Army. Around 1943, he transferred to the Special Service Division and was later discharged.[6] While in the army, he performed in one-act plays as part of the Huachuca Players, Fort Huachuca Little Theatre Group.[7][6]

Fenderson died in San Dimas, California on August 16, 1986, at the age of 74.[8][9][10]

  1. ^ "Reginald Hartley Fenderson". U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940–1947. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  2. ^ ""Moses" of Play Dies in Virginia". The Evening Sun. 12 October 1934. p. 7. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Former Green Pastures Star Seeks Divorce". The Chicago Defender (National Edition). 18 June 1938. p. 2. ProQuest 492614904. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  4. ^ "Movie World Awaits 'Reform School' Premiere". The Pittsburgh Courier. 22 April 1939. p. 21. ProQuest 202062397. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  5. ^ Dodson, Nell (6 May 1939). "Million Dollar Pictures Scores Dramatic Hit With "Reform School"". The Washington Afro-American. p. 11. ProQuest 531249052. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  6. ^ a b "Singing Star in Huachuca - Players Production". The New York Age. 23 October 1943. p. 12. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  7. ^ "Melodrama Staged by Little Theatre Group". The New York Age. 23 October 1943. p. 12. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  8. ^ Sampson, Henry T. (1995). Blacks in Black and White: A Source Book on Black Films. Scarecrow Press. p. 520. ISBN 9780810826052. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  9. ^ Wearing, J. P. (22 August 2014). The London Stage 1940–1949: A Calendar of Productions, Performers, and Personnel. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. p. 570. ISBN 9780810893061. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  10. ^ "Reginald H. Fenderson". U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850–2010. Retrieved 26 February 2023.