Tim Moore, affectionately known as "The Kingfish," will forever be associated with the groundbreaking series The Amos 'n Andy Show, which premiered in 1951. However, it is essential to note that his remarkable career as a comedian and performer in vaudeville far surpassed his accomplishments in film and television. In fact, Moore had only appeared in three films prior to his iconic role in Amos 'n' Andy, and he was persuaded to emerge from retirement to take on the part.
Born into a family of 15 children in Illinois, Moore left school at the tender age of 11 to join a traveling vaudeville act called "Cora Miskel and Her Gold Dust Twins." This act was a resounding success in the United States, leading to a European tour. Moore enjoyed a long and prosperous career in vaudeville, as well as a successful run on Broadway in the production "Blackbirds." Additionally, he made significant contributions to radio.
The Amos 'n' Andy TV series was a massive hit, catapulting Moore, or rather, "The Kingfish," to household name status. Following the show's conclusion, Moore retired once more, except for the occasional appearance on TV talk shows, where he would reminisce about the series. Unfortunately, Moore's life was cut short due to tuberculosis, which claimed his life in 1958.
