Tim Moore (December 9, 1887 â€" December 13, 1958) was an American
vaudevillian and comic actor of the first half of the 20th century. He
gained his greatest recognition in the starring role of George
"Kingfish" Stevens in the CBS TV's The Amos 'n' Andy Show. He proudly
stated, "I've made it a point never to tell a joke on stage that I
couldn't tell in front of my mother."Moore was born Harry Roscoe Moore
in Rock Island, Illinois, one of 13 children of Harry and Cynthia
Moore. His father was a night watchman at a brewery. Tim Moore dropped
out of grammar school to work at odd jobs in town and even danced for
pennies in the streets with his friend, Romeo Washburn.In 1898, Moore
and Washburn went into vaudeville in an act called "Cora Miskel and
Her Gold Dust Twins." It was booked by agents and travelled through
the United States and even Great Britain. As Moore and Washburn grew
older, the act became less effective and Miss Miskel sent them back to
their parents in Rock Island. Shortly after this, Moore joined the
medicine show of "Doctor Mick" (Charles S. Mick), who sold a patented
quack remedy called Pru-ri-ta. Doctor Mick travelled through the
Midwestern states, with songs and dances provided by Moore and four
Kickapoo Indians. The young man also worked in a carnival sideshow and
gave guided tours as a "native" tour guide in Hawaii.
vaudevillian and comic actor of the first half of the 20th century. He
gained his greatest recognition in the starring role of George
"Kingfish" Stevens in the CBS TV's The Amos 'n' Andy Show. He proudly
stated, "I've made it a point never to tell a joke on stage that I
couldn't tell in front of my mother."Moore was born Harry Roscoe Moore
in Rock Island, Illinois, one of 13 children of Harry and Cynthia
Moore. His father was a night watchman at a brewery. Tim Moore dropped
out of grammar school to work at odd jobs in town and even danced for
pennies in the streets with his friend, Romeo Washburn.In 1898, Moore
and Washburn went into vaudeville in an act called "Cora Miskel and
Her Gold Dust Twins." It was booked by agents and travelled through
the United States and even Great Britain. As Moore and Washburn grew
older, the act became less effective and Miss Miskel sent them back to
their parents in Rock Island. Shortly after this, Moore joined the
medicine show of "Doctor Mick" (Charles S. Mick), who sold a patented
quack remedy called Pru-ri-ta. Doctor Mick travelled through the
Midwestern states, with songs and dances provided by Moore and four
Kickapoo Indians. The young man also worked in a carnival sideshow and
gave guided tours as a "native" tour guide in Hawaii.
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