Dewey "Pigmeat" Markham (April 18, 1904 â€" December 13, 1981) was an
American entertainer. Though best known as a comedian, Markham was
also a singer, dancer, and actor. His nickname came from a stage
routine, in which he declared himself to be "Sweet Poppa Pigmeat". He
was sometimes credited in films as Pigmeat "Alamo" Markham.He was born
in the community of Hayti, Durham, North Carolina. His family was the
most prominent on their street, which came to be called (and later
officially named) Markham Street in the Hayti District. Markham began
his career in traveling music and burlesque shows. For a time he was a
member of Bessie Smith's Traveling Revue in the 1920s. Later, he
claimed he originated the Truckin' dance which became nationally
popular at the start of the 1930s. In the 1940s he started making film
appearances. In 1964 he recorded "Open the Door, Richard".Markham was
a familiar act at New York's famed Apollo Theater where he wore
blackface makeup and huge painted white lips, despite complaints the
vaudeville tradition was degrading. The book Showtime at the Apollo
suggests, "He probably played the Apollo more often than any other
performer." Starting in the 1950s Pigmeat Markham began appearing on
television, making multiple appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show.
American entertainer. Though best known as a comedian, Markham was
also a singer, dancer, and actor. His nickname came from a stage
routine, in which he declared himself to be "Sweet Poppa Pigmeat". He
was sometimes credited in films as Pigmeat "Alamo" Markham.He was born
in the community of Hayti, Durham, North Carolina. His family was the
most prominent on their street, which came to be called (and later
officially named) Markham Street in the Hayti District. Markham began
his career in traveling music and burlesque shows. For a time he was a
member of Bessie Smith's Traveling Revue in the 1920s. Later, he
claimed he originated the Truckin' dance which became nationally
popular at the start of the 1930s. In the 1940s he started making film
appearances. In 1964 he recorded "Open the Door, Richard".Markham was
a familiar act at New York's famed Apollo Theater where he wore
blackface makeup and huge painted white lips, despite complaints the
vaudeville tradition was degrading. The book Showtime at the Apollo
suggests, "He probably played the Apollo more often than any other
performer." Starting in the 1950s Pigmeat Markham began appearing on
television, making multiple appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show.
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