Love Lucy remains one of the most iconic sitcoms in television history. Originally airing on CBS from 1951 to 1957, the show starred Lucille Ball and her real-life husband Desi Arnaz, of Cuban descent, as TV’s first interractial-married couple.
The famed series, however, rarely showcased African-American actors. Only one Black thespian appeared on the show during its entire run. His name was Sam Daniel, and here’s the story.
A Closer Look
Sam Daniel was the only Black actor to appear on I Love Lucy. Daniel had a guest shot in the episode, titled, “The Great Train Robbery.”
Daniel also became famous for another reason: He was the brother of Oscar-winning actress Hattie McDaniel, best known for her iconic performance in the 1939 feature film classic, Gone With the Wind.
More About Sam
Sam McDaniel was born on January 28, 1886, in Wichita, Kansas, one of 13 children, to former slaves. His father Henry McDaniel fought in the Civil War, and his mother, Susan Holbert, sang gospel music.
In 1900, the family relocated to Colorado, initially settling in Fort Collins and then Denver where Sam was raised and graduated high school.
McDaniel and his siblings performed in a traveling minstrel show. However, after the demise of his brother Otis in 1916, the group became financially challenged.
In the 1920s, Sam led a jazz band and played on the radio and vaudeville circuit. The lead singer was his longtime girlfriend.
By 1931, McDaniel was living in Los Angeles with sisters Hattie, Etta, and Orlena, and was heard on the KNX radio show, The Optimistic Doughnut Hour, and he was able to get his sister a spot.
From 1929 to 1950, McDaniel would make over 200 TV and movie appearances. Some of his earlier films included Captains Courageous (1937), The Great Lie (1941), and I Was Framed (1942).
In the End…
Sam McDaniel passed away from throat cancer on September 24, 1962, in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California.
