Clarence Muse
Biography
Clarence Muse was a trailblazing American actor, screenwriter, director, composer, and lawyer who broke racial barriers in the entertainment industry. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, he became the first African American to star in a major studio film with Hearts in Dixie (1929) after honing his craft during the Harlem Renaissance. He worked for over 60 years, starring in more than 150 films and receiving a well-deserved induction into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame in 1973.