Thomas D. Rice: Biography, Facts and Career
Who is Thomas D. Rice? An evergreen, sourced profile: biography, key facts and career.
Thomas Dartmouth Rice (May 20, 1808 – September 19, 1860) was an American performer and playwright who performed in blackface and used African American vernacular speech, song and dance to become one of the most popular minstrel show entertainers of his time. He is considered the "father of American minstrelsy". His act drew on aspects of African American culture and popularized them with a national, and later international, audience. Rice's "Jim Crow" character was based on a folk trickster of that name that was long popular among slaves. Rice also adapted and popularized a traditional song of slaves called "Jump Jim Crow". The name became used for the "Jim Crow laws" that enforced racial segregation in the Southern United States between the 1870s and 1965.
Quick facts about Thomas D. Rice
- Full name: Thomas D. Rice
- Born: 1808-05-20
- Nationality: United States
- Known as: Comedian
- Wikidata ID: Q2423312
Profile compiled from public Wikipedia and Wikidata data. Details can change over time.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Thomas D. Rice?
Thomas Dartmouth Rice (May 20, 1808 – September 19, 1860) was an American performer and playwright who performed in blackface and used African American vernacular speech, song and dance to become one of the most popular minstrel show entertainers of his time.
What nationality is Thomas D. Rice?
Thomas D. Rice is United States.
When was Thomas D. Rice born?
Thomas D. Rice was born on 1808-05-20.
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