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Clarence Muse Facts

Sign	Libra
Born	Oct 14, 1889 Baltimore, MD
Died	Oct 13, 1979 Perris, CA
Age	Died at 90
Total Facts	7

A member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Omega Chapter.

An outspoken proponent for the positive treatment of black performers, Muse fought demeaning stereotypes for most his career. Ironically, he was a staunch supporter of the controversial black-oriented TV series "The Amos 'n Andy Show" (1951). He insisted that, despite the standard caricatures of the title players, the series allowed black actors to portray white-collar roles such as doctors, bankers, judges, and professors, generally not done in white-oriented series.

Died four days before the release of his final film, The Black Stallion (1979).

Holding a law degree from Pennsylvania's Dickerson University, Clarence requested that he be addressed as Dr. Muse in later years.

In his salad days, Muse appeared as an opera singer, a minstrel performer and a vaudeville actor. He also composed songs and wrote plays and sketches, and was considered a pioneer in the 'black theatre' movement.

Inducted into the "Black Filmmakers Hall Of Fame" [1973]

Was the first African-American to "star" in a film.

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