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Jester Hairston

Acting

Born July 9, 1901 · Belews Creek, North Carolina, USA

Died January 18, 2000

Also known as Gester Hairston · Jasper J. Hairston · Jester J. Hairston

IMDbWikipedia

Biography

Jester Joseph Hairston was an American composer, songwriter, arranger, choral conductor and actor. He was regarded as a leading expert on black spirituals and choral music. His notable compositions include "Amen", a gospel-tinged theme from the film Lilies of the Field and a 1964 hit for the Impressions, and the Christmas song "Mary's Boy Child".

Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA

Awards & recognition

  • star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Filmography23 titles

To Kill a Mockingbird

1962as Spence Robinson (uncredited)

In the Heat of the Night

1967as Endicott's Butler

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

1962as Self

Lilies of the Field

1963as Homer Smith (singing voice) (uncredited)

Rawhide

1959as Zachariah

The Alamo

1960as Jethro

That's My Mama

1974as Wildcat

In This Our Life

1942as Black Man in Jail (uncredited)

Family Matters

1989as William 'Skippy' Thomas

Thriller

1960as Papa Benjamin

Gunsmoke

1955as Wellington

Summer and Smoke

1961as Thomas (uncredited)

Across the Pacific

1942as Passerby (uncredited)

I'm Gonna Git You Sucka

1988as Pop

The Last Tycoon

1976as Waiter in Stahr's Office (uncredited)

The Green Pastures

1936as Member of Hall Johnson Choir (uncredited)

Pete Kelly's Blues

1955as Mourner (uncredited)

The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings

1976as Furry Taylor

The 20th Century Fox Hour

1955

Finian's Rainbow

1968as Passion Pilgrim Gospeller (uncredited)

We're Not Married!

1952as Lead Christmas Caroler (uncredited)

Sundown

1941as Native Boy (uncredited)

So This Is Love

1953as Preacher