1910…Scatman Crothers was born.
Before many people knew his face from film and television, Benjamin Sherman Crothers had already built a life around sound.
Born in Terre Haute, Indiana, Crothers became known as a singer, musician, actor, dancer, and voice artist whose career stretched across generations. His nickname “Scatman” came from his scat singing style, a form of vocal improvisation rooted in jazz.
To some viewers, he will always be Dick Hallorann from The Shining, the warm and watchful hotel cook whose presence gave the story a human heartbeat.
To others, he was the unforgettable voice behind Hong Kong Phooey, the cartoon crime-fighting dog who became a childhood favorite.
But Crothers was much more than one role.
He appeared in Chico and the Man, The Aristocats, The Transformers, Roots, Sanford and Son, The Twilight Zone Movie, and many more projects. His voice carried charm. His face carried kindness. His performances carried decades of work across music, television, film, and animation.
Scatman Crothers had one of those careers that quietly touched everybody’s childhood, movie nights, cartoons, and memories.
He was not just a familiar face.
He was a familiar feeling.
A reminder that some legends do not need to shout to be remembered.
Their voice does it for them.
#ScatmanCrothers #BlackHistory #HollywoodHistory #ClassicTelevision #LataraSpeaksTruth
