Deceased
When Did Jester Hairston Die?
Life & Death
Died aged 98Also known asGester Hairston, Jasper J. Hairston, Jester J. Hairston, Jester Joseph HairstonGenderMaleNationalityUnited StatesBorn09/07/1901Born inBelews Creek, North Carolina, USADied18/01/2000 (aged 98)Died inLos AngelesWikidataQ5783279 ↗Buried atInglewood Park CemeteryTMDb#192330 ↗
Jester Joseph Hairston was an American composer, songwriter, arranger, choral conductor and actor. He was regarded as a leading expert on black spirituals and choral music. His notable compositions include "Amen", a gospel-tinged theme from the film Lilies of the Field and a 1964 hit for the Impressions, and the Christmas song "Mary's Boy Child".
Read full Wikipedia article ↗Filmography31 titles
| Year | Title | Character | Age at release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Family MattersSeries | William 'Skippy' Thomas | 88 |
| 1986 | AmenSeries | Rolly Forbes | 85 |
| 1976 | The Last TycoonMovie | Waiter in Stahr's Office (uncredited) | 75 |
| 1976 | The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor KingsMovie | Furry Taylor | 75 |
| 1974 | Harry OSeries | — | 73 |
| 1974 | That's My MamaSeries | Wildcat | 73 |
| 1972 | Lady Sings the BluesMovie | The Butler | 71 |
| 1971 | NicholsSeries | Melville | 70 |
| 1967 | In the Heat of the NightMovie | Endicott's Butler | 66 |
| 1963 | Lilies of the FieldMovie | Homer Smith (singing voice) (uncredited) | 62 |
| 1962 | To Kill a MockingbirdMovie | Spence Robinson (uncredited) | 61 |
| 1962 | The Tonight Show Starring Johnny CarsonSeries | Self | 61 |
| 1961 | Summer and SmokeMovie | Thomas (uncredited) | 60 |
| 1960 | ThrillerSeries | Papa Benjamin | 59 |
| 1960 | The AlamoMovie | Jethro | 59 |
| 1959 | RawhideSeries | Zachariah | 58 |
| 1955 | GunsmokeSeries | Wellington | 54 |
| 1955 | The 20th Century Fox HourSeries | — | 54 |
| 1955 | Tarzan's Hidden JungleMovie | Witch Doctor | 54 |
| 1955 | Pete Kelly's BluesMovie | Mourner (uncredited) | 54 |
| 1954 | Studio 57Series | — | 53 |
| 1954 | Gypsy ColtMovie | Carl | 53 |
| 1954 | TanganyikaMovie | — | 53 |
| 1953 | So This Is LoveMovie | Preacher | 52 |
| 1952 | We're Not Married!Movie | Lead Christmas Caroler (uncredited) | 51 |
| 1951 | Amos 'n' AndySeries | Mr. Phillips | 50 |
| 1951 | Yes Sir, Mr. BonesMovie | — | 50 |
| 1942 | Across the PacificMovie | Passerby (uncredited) | 41 |
| 1942 | In This Our LifeMovie | Black Man in Jail (uncredited) | 41 |
| 1941 | SundownMovie | Native Boy (uncredited) | 40 |
| 1936 | The Green PasturesMovie | Member of Hall Johnson Choir (uncredited) | 35 |