Jeni Le Gon

Jeni Le Gon

Deceased · Born: Aug 14, 1916 · Died: Dec 7, 2012

Personal Details

BornAug 14, 1916 Georgia, USA

Biography

Born in the year 1916, Jeni Le Gon commenced her journey in the world of dance at the tender age of 16, having trained at Mary Bruce's School of Dancing. She initially performed as a chorus girl, later transitioning to vaudeville, showcasing her exceptional dancing skills. Her Hollywood debut film, Hooray for Love, released in 1935, featured her as the dancing partner of the renowned Bill Robinson. Although primarily a dancer, Jeni possessed a melodious voice and demonstrated her acting prowess as a light actress when given the opportunity.

Throughout her Hollywood career, spanning from 1935 to 1949, Jeni's early appearances were largely confined to specialty dance numbers. However, she later found herself relegated to servant roles, a common fate for many black stars of the time. In the 1940s, Jeni took on leading and secondary roles in at least five independently produced films featuring all-black casts. Her stage presence was also evident in her periodic appearances on the New York stage, where she played leading roles in productions featuring all-black casts. Later, she managed the Dance and Drama Playhouse in Los Angeles.

After making a few guest appearances on the popular radio show "Amos 'N' Andy" in 1951, Jeni Le Gon gradually faded from the public eye, leaving behind a legacy as a talented dancer, singer, and actress who made significant contributions to the world of entertainment.

Career

{"id":67713,"title":"Bright Road","year":"1953","character":"","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/bright-road","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_67713.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_67713.jpg"},"released":1}
1953
{"id":68169,"title":"Somebody Loves Me","year":"1952","character":"Singer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/somebody-loves-me","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_68169.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_68169.jpg"},"released":1}
1952
{"id":103834769,"title":"The Amos 'n Andy Show","year":1951,"character":"Daphne Jackson (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/the-amos-n-andy-show","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_103834769.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_103834769.jpg"},"released":1}
1951
The Amos 'n Andy Show
The Amos 'n Andy Show as Daphne Jackson (uncredited)
{"id":69044,"title":"I Shot Jesse James","year":"1949","character":"Veronica, Cynthy's Maid","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/i-shot-jesse-james","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_69044.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_69044.jpg"},"released":1}
1949
I Shot Jesse James
I Shot Jesse James as Veronica, Cynthy's Maid
{"id":12014,"title":"Easter Parade","year":"1948","character":"Essie (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/easter-parade","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/2al5iaaqkgp0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/2al5iaaqkgp0.jpg"},"released":1}
1948
Easter Parade
Easter Parade as Essie (uncredited)
{"id":69697,"title":"Hi De Ho","year":"1947","character":"Minnie","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/hi-de-ho","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_69697.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_69697.jpg"},"released":1}
1947
Hi De Ho
Hi De Ho as Minnie
{"id":32641,"title":"I Walked with a Zombie","year":"1943","character":"Dancer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/i-walked-with-a-zombie","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_32641.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_32641.jpg"},"released":1}
1943
{"id":70974,"title":"Stormy Weather","year":"1943","character":"Dancer (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/stormy-weather-1943","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_70974.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_70974.jpg"},"released":1}
Stormy Weather
Stormy Weather as Dancer (uncredited)
{"id":198682,"title":"Take My Life","year":"1942","character":"Helen Stanley","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/take-my-life-1942","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_198682.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_198682.jpg"},"released":1}
1942
Take My Life
Take My Life as Helen Stanley
{"id":12085,"title":"Arabian Nights","year":"1942","character":"Dresser","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/arabian-nights","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/49funfe165n0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/49funfe165n0.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":71446,"title":"Bahama Passage","year":"1941","character":"Mary's Maid","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/bahama-passage","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_71446.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_71446.jpg"},"released":1}
1941
Bahama Passage
Bahama Passage as Mary's Maid
{"id":3839,"title":"Sundown","year":"1941","character":"Miriami","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/sundown","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_3839.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_3839.jpg"},"released":1}
Sundown
Sundown as Miriami
{"id":201552,"title":"While Thousands Cheer","year":"1940","character":"Myra","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/while-thousands-cheer","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_201552.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_201552.jpg"},"released":1}
1940
{"id":175734,"title":"I Can't Give You Anything But Love, Baby","year":"1940","character":"Annie","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/i-cant-give-you-anything-but-love-baby-1940","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_175734.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_175734.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":175717,"title":"Glamour for Sale","year":"1940","character":"Maid (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/glamour-for-sale","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_175717.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_175717.jpg"},"released":1}
Glamour for Sale
Glamour for Sale as Maid (uncredited)
{"id":72215,"title":"Double Deal","year":"1939","character":"Nita","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/double-deal-1939","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_72215.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_72215.jpg"},"released":1}
1939
{"id":72586,"title":"Fools for Scandal","year":"1938","character":"Specialty","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/fools-for-scandal","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_72586.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_72586.jpg"},"released":1}
1938
{"id":72996,"title":"Ali Baba Goes to Town","year":"1937","character":"Specialty Dancer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/ali-baba-goes-to-town","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_72996.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_72996.jpg"},"released":1}
1937
Ali Baba Goes to Town
Ali Baba Goes to Town as Specialty Dancer
{"id":73240,"title":"The Adventurous Blonde","year":"1937","character":"Maid (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-adventurous-blonde","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_73240.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_73240.jpg"},"released":1}
The Adventurous Blonde
The Adventurous Blonde as Maid (uncredited)
{"id":73857,"title":"Hooray for Love","year":"1935","character":"Ballerina","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/hooray-for-love","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_73857.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_73857.jpg"},"released":1}
1935
Hooray for Love
Hooray for Love as Ballerina