Here is the person biography:
Lincoln Theodore Monroe Andrew Perry, known professionally as Stepin Fetchit, was a talented physical comedian and actor born on May 30, 1902, in Key West, Florida, to West Indian immigrant parents. Perry began his career as a comic performer in his teens and eventually evolved a character called "The Laziest Man In the World" as part of a two-man vaudeville act. He later went solo and adopted the stage name Stepin Fetchit, which he claimed was inspired by a race horse.
Stepin Fetchit achieved superstar status in the 1930s, becoming a millionaire and starring in numerous films, including "Steamboat Round the Bend" (1935) alongside Will Rogers. However, his characterization as a lazy, slow-witted, jive-talkin' "coon" offended African-Americans at the time and still offends them today.
Despite the controversy surrounding his career, Perry was a trailblazer for other African-American actors and was eventually rehabilitated by heavyweight champion Cassius Clay, who made him one of his entourage. Perry converted to the Nation of Islam and was saved.
In the later years of his life, Perry achieved redemption, appearing in a bit at the beginning of the comedy film "Amazing Grace" (1974) and receiving a Special Image Award from the Hollywood chapter of the NAACP in 1976 for his pioneering movie career. He was also inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame in 1978. Perry died on November 19, 1985.
