Joel Fluellen
Joel Fluellen was an actor and an activist for the rights of African Americans. He appeared in the films The Jackie Robinson Story, Perils of the Jungle, Duffy of San Quentin, Sitting Bull, Friendly Persuasion, Monster from Green Hell, The Decks Ran Red, Porgy and Bess, A Raisin in the Sun, He Rides Tall, Roustabout, The Chase, The Learning Tree, The Great White Hope, Skin Game, Thomasine & Bushrod, The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings, Casey's Shadow and Butch and Sundance: The Early Days, among others.
Cinema career
After getting a series of small roles, Fluellen attracted attention playing the role of Jackie Robinson's brother in The Jackie Robinson Story, released in 1950. Other significant roles followed in movies such as Friendly Persuasion, The Learning Tree and The Great White Hope.
He also appeared in television series, including The Dick Van Dyke Show and Hill Street Blues.
Activism
Following calls by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People against the stereotyping of African Americans in the film industry, Fluellen tried to get the Screen Actors Guild to protect their Black members against discrimination. The guild, headed by Ronald Reagan at the time, repeatedly rebuffed his resolutions, and Fluellen became an early member of the Negro Actors Guild of America.
With Frances Williams, he received the first Paul Robeson Pioneer Awards from the Black American Cinema Society, in 1985.
Later life
Fluellen was gay. He suffered health problems and was becoming blind toward the end of his life. He shot and killed himself on February 2, 1990, at his home in Los Angeles, California.
Selected filmography
Dark Manhattan – Henchman Spirit of Youth – Kitchen Worker The Duke Is Tops – Tonic Customer Congo Maisie – Native While Thousands Cheer – Waiter The Flame of New Orleans – Servant Heart of the Golden West – Member – Hall Johnson Choir Happy Go Lucky – Trinidad Native Cabin in the Sky – Mr. Kelso / Jim Henry's Paradise Patron Hit the Ice – Club Car Bartender I Dood It – Member of Hazel Scott's Group Jungle Queen – Native Shady Lady – Dining Car Waiter White Pongo – Mumbo JumboThis Love of Ours – Porter The Negro Sailor Without Reservations – Club Car Waiter Two Guys from Milwaukee – Porter The Burning Cross – Charlie WestFamily Honeymoon – Waiter Sun Tan Ranch No Time for Romance – Drums MillerMighty Joe Young – Tall Native Rope of Sand – Native Buccaneer's Girl – Black Man in Marketplace The Jackie Robinson Story – Mack RobinsonThe Great Jewel Robber – Train Waiter Walk Softly, Stranger – Florist You're in the Navy Now – Officer's Club Waiter Tarzan's Peril – Attendant His Kind of Woman – Sam Lydia Bailey – Toussant's Aide Affair in Trinidad – Jeffrey Mabetes – Fisherman Jungle Drums of Africa – Matambo, Native Searcher Perils of the Jungle – KennyThe Moonlighter – Black Man in Jail Cell The Royal African Rifles – SoldierDuffy of San Quentin – Bill LakeRiot in Cell Block 11 – AlJungle Gents – Rangori – Witch Doctor Sitting Bull – SamSeven Angry Men – Heyward – Harper's Ferry Station Master Lord of the Jungle – Molu Lucy Gallant – Summertime I'll Cry Tomorrow – The Porter Friendly Persuasion – EnochThe Opposite Sex – Club Car Bartender Oh, Men! Oh, Women! – Cab Driver Monster from Green Hell – ArobiHouse of Numbers – Ashlow – Convict Run Silent, Run Deep – Bragg The Decks Ran Red – PeteImitation of Life – MinisterPorgy and Bess – RobbinsThe Young Savages – Court Clerk A Raisin in the Sun – BoboHe Rides Tall – Dr. SamGood Neighbor Sam – Judge Roustabout – Cody MarshThe Chase – Lester JohnsonWho's Minding the Mint? – Policeman Hang 'Em High – Williams Uptight – Kyle's associate The Learning Tree – Uncle RobThe Great White Hope – TickSkin Game – AbramColumbo – CharlesAce Eli and Rodger of the Skies – Handyman Thomasine & Bushrod – NathanielMan Friday – DoctorThe Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings – Mr. HollandCasey's Shadow – Jimmy JudsonButch and Sundance: The Early Days – Jack the Bartender