Canada Lee

Canada Lee
Lee in 1948
Born	Leonard Lionel Cornelius Canegata (1907-03-03)March 3, 1907 Manhattan, New York City, U.S.
Died	May 9, 1952(1952-05-09) (aged 45) Manhattan, New York City, U.S.
Other names	Lionel Canegata
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1926–1952
Spouses	Juanita Waller (1925–42) Frances Pollack (1951–52)
Children	2, including Carl Lee
Boxing career
Statistics
Weight(s)	Welterweight
Height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	91;[1] with the inclusion of newspaper decisions
Wins	42
Wins by KO	17
Losses	37
Draws	10
No contests	2
Website	canadalee.org

Leonard Lionel Cornelius Canegata (March 3, 1907 – May 9, 1952), known professionally as Canada Lee, was an American professional boxer and actor who pioneered roles for African Americans. After careers as a jockey, boxer and musician, he became an actor in the Federal Theatre Project, including the 1936 production of Macbeth adapted and directed by Orson Welles. Lee later starred in Welles's original Broadway production of Native Son (1941). A champion of civil rights in the 1930s and 1940s, Lee was blacklisted and died shortly before he was scheduled to appear before the House Un-American Activities Committee. He advanced the African-American tradition in theatre pioneered by such actors as Paul Robeson. Lee was the father of actor Carl Lee.