Lorenzo Tucker

Lorenzo Tucker (June 27, 1907 – August 19, 1986), known as the "Black Valentino," was an American stage and screen actor who played the romantic lead in the early black films of Oscar Micheaux.

Micheaux not only produced films, but he wrote, directed, edited and promoted them in segregated theaters. His films proved so commercially viable that Micheaux was able to borrow enough money from theater owners who had screened his last offering so that he could finance his next.

Micheaux took on Tucker as a prime love interest opposite several black beauties in such low-budget but popular pictures as “Wages of Sin,” “Daughter of the Congo,” “Harlem Big Show,” “Temptation” and “Veiled Aristocrats”.

Early life Lorenzo Tucker was born in Philadelphia on June 27, 1907, the first-born child of John and Virginia (Lee) Tucker. He briefly attended Temple University before leaving to pursue a career in performance, working as a hotel waiter and dancer and later appearing in vaudeville and minstrel shows.

Acting career Born in Philadelphia, Tucker started acting at Temple University, where he was a student. Tucker also appeared early in his career with Bessie Smith on cross-country tours.

From 1926 to 1946, Tucker appeared in 18 of Micheaux's films, including When Men Betray (1928), Wages of Sin (1929), Easy Street (1930), Harlem Big Show, Veiled Aristocrats (1932), Ten Minutes to Live (1932), Harlem After Midnight (1934), Temptation (1935), and Underworld (1937). He became known as the "Black Valentino" because of his good looks and role as the romantic lead in the early black cinema. Despite the Shuberts' decision, West cast Tucker in a few minor parts, including the role of a Spaniard who walks across the stage. When a woman asks West's character who that is, West responded "Oh, he's Spanish — he's my Spanish fly!"

Later years During World War II, Tucker was a tail gunner in the U.S. Army Air Corps.

Military service Tucker served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. Reports note that he both participated in service activities overseas and produced shows for troops during the war.