Buena Vista Pictures Marketing
NEWS RELEASE
Howard E. Green
Vice President, Studio Communications
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NICK STEWART, VOICE OF BRER BEAR, DIES AT 90
Founded Ebony Showcase Theater in Los Angeles
Nick “Nicodemus” Stewart, who provided the voice for the bulky Brer Bear in Walt Disney’s classic, “Song of the South,” passed away at the home of his son on Monday, December 18. He was 90 years old. In addition to his role as a veteran vaudevillian, composer, producer, director, Stewart also founded the Ebony Showcase in Los Angeles.
“Nick was a show business legend who made his mark in virtually every area of the entertainment spectrum from vaudeville and radio to motion pictures and television,” said Roy E. Disney, vice chairman of The Walt Disney Company. “As the voice of Brer Bear, he lent his vocal skills to creating one of Disney’s most memorable characters and a screen personality that was larger than life. In addition to his achievements as an actor and his important contribution here at Disney, Nick was a very passionate and caring individual who created a landmark Los Angeles theater and provided young people with a unique opportunity to participate in the theater and learn other related crafts. He will be greatly missed.”
Stewart grew up in Harlem and, for a time, the British West Indies. By the age of 14, he was dancing and performing standup comedy at the Hoofers Club, a legendary gathering spot for such dancing greats as Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, the Step Brothers, and Honi Coles. He went on to appear at the Cotton Club with many of the popular acts of the day. He also worked as a recreational director at Rockhill Lodge in the Catskill Mountains, bringing stars of all races and professional shows to the families vacationing there.
In 1936, while appearing at the Paramount Theatre in Los Angeles with Cab Calloway and his band, Stewart was spotted by Mae West and signed for a role in her film, “Go West, Young Man.” He went on to appear in numerous films, including “Stormy Weather,” “Cabin in the Sky,” and “Carmen Jones.”
Stewart was a popular radio guest performer throughout the 1940s, and in 1946, voiced the role of Brer Bear – the favorite target of Brer Rabbit – in Walt Disney’s classic, “Song of the South.” Beginning in 1989, Stewart reprised the role for the Splash Mountain attractions at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Park.
He also appeared in the Broadway production of Irving Berlin’s “Louisiana Purchase,” and achieved great fame in the 1950s with the recurring role of the slow-moving janitor Lightnin’ on the “Amos ‘n’ Andy” TV series. Late in his career, Stewart had cameo roles in the films “It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World,” “Silver Streak,” and “Hollywood Shuffle.”
In addition, Stewart has been inducted into the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Archive of American Television, a series of videotaped conversations with television pioneers designed to create a complete oral history of the medium.
In 1950, Stewart founded the Ebony Showcase Theatre in Los Angeles to bring theater to the community and to work with young people, encouraging them to find a role working in the arts. People who worked at the theater included John Amos, Isobel Sanford, Margaret Avery, Boris Sagal, Juanita Moore, Gordon Hunt, Al Freeman, Jr., former SAG president William Schallert, and USC theater professor John Blankenchip.
The Ebony Showcase still exists as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing quality entertainment and training. The buildings housing the theater were demolished in the late 1990s, and the organization is currently raising the money for a new home. More information on the Ebony Showcase can be found at www.ebonyshowcase.org.
Stewart is
survived by his wife, Edna, three children, three grandchildren, and two
great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held Saturday, December 23, at
10:30 a.m. at the Agape Church, 5700 Buckingham Parkway, Culver City. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to
2306 W. Slauson Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90043
323.291-6772
1-866-815-2673 (Tollfree voicemail and fax)
Send email to Valarie Stewart (valariestewart@ebonyshowcase.org)
#25070
12/22/00
tmk