Joe Adams

Joseph Edward Adams (April 11, 1924 – July 3, 2018), known as The Man Behind The Man, was an American actor, disc jockey, businessman and manager. He was manager to Ray Charles and won a Golden Globe — the first African-American to do so.

Early years Adams was a native of Los Angeles. His father was a Jewish businessman, and his mother was African-American.

Adams was the first African-American announcer on NBC's radio network, handling West Coast jazz remote broadcasts and producing segments of NBC's Monitor program. In 1948, he became a disc jockey and announcer on KOWL radio in Santa Monica, California,

On June 19, 1951, Adams began his own television program on KTTV in Los Angeles. The show featured Adams' 15-piece orchestra, vocalist Mauri Lynn, and the Hi Hatters dance team.

In 1954 Adams played boxer "Husky Miller" in the award-winning "Carmen Jones" film opera featuring an all-black cast headed by Best Actress Oscar-nominee Dorothy Dandridge.

On stage, Adams had the role of Joe Nashua in the Broadway musical Jamaica (1957).

Personal life Adams married Emma Millhouse in 1946.

Recognition The Los Angeles City Council designated March 15, 1953, a day to honor Adams.

Papers Adams' photographs, scrapbooks, and other materials are housed in the Joe Adams Papers collection in the Archives Center, National Museum of American History of the Smithsonian Institution.

Filmography

Film

Television