George Kirby

Biography

George Kirby was a Chicago-born comedian, singer, and actor who broke into show business in the 1940s at the Club DeLisa. He became one of the first African-American comedians to appeal to both white and black audiences during the Civil Rights era, appearing on various TV shows including The Ed Sullivan Show and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Kirby was known for his impressive impersonation skills, including vocal impressions of Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald.