Read Next
Discover
Bert Williams
American comedian
Quick Facts
- Byname of:
- Egbert Austin Williams
- Born:
- c. 1876, New Providence, Bahamas
- Died:
- March 4, 1922, New York City
Bert Williams (born c. 1876, New Providence, Bahamas—died March 4, 1922, New York City) was an American comedian who portrayed the slow-witted, shuffling Black man that was then a standard, if racist, role in vaudeville. As a child Williams went to California with his family and worked in the mining and lumber camps of the West. In 1895 his partnership with George W. Walker began. They became one of the most successful comedy teams of their era; within a year they were appearing in New York City, where their song “Good Morning Carrie” became famous. In 1903 the partnership had ...(100 of 188 words)