Jess Lee Brooks (June 10, 1894 – December 13, 1944), also known as Jesse Brooks, was an American actor. He is perhaps most famous for playing the

African-American African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American ...

church preacher in the critically acclaimed motion picture ''

Sullivan's Travels ''Sullivan's Travels'' is a 1941 American comedy film written and directed by Preston Sturges. A satire on the film industry, it follows a famous Hollywood comedy director (Joel McCrea) who, longing to make a socially relevant drama, sets out to ...

'', where he leads his congregation in singing "

Go Down Moses "Go Down Moses" is a spiritual phrase that describes events in the Old Testament of the Bible, specifically Exodus 5:1: "And the LORD spake unto Moses, Go unto Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may se ...

Partial filmography

*''

Dark Manhattan ''Dark Manhattan'' is a black and white American film produced in 1937 by a partnership of African Americans Ralph Cooper and George Randol. Harry Fraser directed the film, which was written by Randol who was also the executive producer. The ...

'' (1937) * ''

Spirit of Youth ''Spirit of Youth'' is a 1938 boxing film directed by Harry L. Fraser and starring then-heavyweight world champion Joe Louis in a story with similarities to his own real life. (According to IMDb, the Spanish title is ''La vida de Joe Louis'', w ...

'' (1938) * ''

Two-Gun Man from Harlem ''Two Gun Man from Harlem'' is a 1938 American contemporary Western film directed by Richard C. Kahn. It was produced by Merit Pictures, distributed by Sack Amusement Enterprises and featured an all-African-American cast. Plot summary A man wr ...

'' (1938) * '' The Sun Never Sets'' (1939) * ''

Four Shall Die ''Four Shall Die'' is a 1940 American supernatural crime film directed by William Beaudine. It features Dorothy Dandridge in her first credited film role. Cast * Niel Webster as Pierre Touissant * Mantan Moreland as Beefus, Touissant's Chauffe ...

'' (1940) as Bill Summers * ''

'' (1941) (uncredited) as Black preacher * ''

Lucky Ghost ''Lucky Ghost'' is a 1942 American film directed by William Beaudine. The film is a sequel to the 1941 film ''Mr. Washington Goes to Town''. The film is also known as ''Lady Luck'' (new American title). Plot Washington Delaware Jones has never ...

'' (1942) as Door Man * ''

Jungle Siren ''Jungle Siren'' is a 1942 American film directed by Sam Newfield. Cast *Ann Corio as Kuhlaya *Buster Crabbe as Captain Gary Hart * Evelyn Wahl as Frau Anna Lukas *Paul Bryar as Sergeant Mike Jenkins *Milton Kibbee as Dr. Thomas Harrigan *Ar ...

'' (1942) as Chief Selangi * '' Broken Strings'' (1942) *'' Mr. & Mrs. North'' (1942) as Oscar * ''

Drums of the Congo ''Drums of the Congo'' is a 1942 American drama film, directed by Christy Cabanne. It stars Ona Munson, Stuart Erwin, and Peggy Moran, and was released on July 17, 1942. Cast list * Ona Munson as Dr. Ann Montgomery * Stuart Erwin as Congo Ja ...

'' (1942) as Chief Madjeduka * '' Thank Your Lucky Stars'' (uncredited) as The Justice *''

Girl Crazy ''Girl Crazy'' is a 1930 musical by George Gershwin with lyrics by Ira Gershwin and book by Guy Bolton and John McGowan. Ethel Merman made her stage debut in the first production and co-lead Ginger Rogers became an overnight star. Rich in song, ...

'' (1943) as Bickets *'' Son of Dracula'' (1943) (uncredited) as Steven

References

External links

*
Jess Lee Brooks: A Black Western Actor in the Narrative of the American West
1894 births 1944 deaths American male actors African-American male actors {{US-film-actor-1890s-stub