Emett Babe Wallace, born in 1909 in Brooklyn, New York, is a true Renaissance man, embodying the essence of a "show-biz" person. At the age of 19, he began his career as a bouncer at Harlem's renowned Savoy Ballroom, eventually transitioning to perform as a singer at the same venue.
Throughout his illustrious career, Wallace performed at the most notable venues worldwide, including Small's Paradise, The Apollo Theater, and The Cotton Club. Around 1940, he took the stage as the frontman for Ella Fitzgerald's band, and in 1956, he relocated to Israel, where he became a popular recording artist for the Blue Jazz record label, singing in both English and Yiddish.
Wallace's talent took him across Europe, where he mesmerized audiences in Spain, France, Germany, and Holland, sharing the stage with legendary performers such as Louis Armstrong, Lionel Hampton, Della Reese, Johnny Otis, and Cab Calloway.
As an actor, Wallace is an early pioneer of Black Cinema, starring in numerous films alongside some of the most renowned names in the industry. His breakout role came in 1943, when he co-starred in the 20th Century Fox classic "Stormy Weather" alongside Lena Horne and Bill Robinson.
Wallace's stage career was equally impressive, with notable performances in musicals such as "Anna Lucasta" in London during 1947, "Les Folies Bergere" in Paris during 1952 (becoming the first Black male star),and "Guys and Dolls" on Broadway during 1976, alongside Robert Guillaume and James Randolph.
In 1989, Wallace was presented with the prestigious Paul Robeson Award by the Black American Cinema Society, alongside Marla Gibbs. A prolific songwriter, poet, and novelist, Wallace has had some of his works included in the Schomburg Research Center for Black Culture.
With thousands of songs to his credit, some have been recorded by Benny Goodman, Ella Fitzgerald, and Cab Calloway. In 1999, Burger King featured one of his songs, "A Chicken Ain't Nothin But A Bird," in their TV and radio ad campaign.
Now in his 90s, Wallace resides at the Actors Fund Retirement Home in New Jersey, where he continues to write songs, poetry, and stories, leaving behind a legacy in entertainment. His grandson, Jimy Bleu, currently administers this legacy, and a documentary about Babe Wallace is in post-production.
