About Stu Gilliam
Stu Gilliam (July 27, 1933 - October 11, 2013) was an African-American actor and stand-up and TV comedian. Born in a middle-class area of Detroit, he left home at age 14 to perform with a circus as a ventriloquist at state fairs, then began appearing in clubs in Chicago, and entertained troops as a ventriloquist during his service in the Korean War. In the 1950s and 1960s he performed nationwide for Black audiences, including at the Apollo Theater in New York City, and the Playboy Club circuit booked him before largely White crowds. He appeared on national TV shows such as The Ed Sullivan Show, Playboy After Dark, and The Dean Martin Show, voiced Freddie "Curly" Neal on the Hanna-Barbera cartoon Harlem Globetrotters, and co-starred in the CBS sitcom Roll Out during the 1973-74 season. Gilliam was an active member of the Baha'i Faith and died of a heart attack in the Czech Republic in 2013.
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Frequently asked questions
How did Stu Gilliam start performing?
Stu Gilliam left home at 14 to work with a circus as a ventriloquist at state fairs, then began appearing in clubs in Chicago.
Did Stu Gilliam perform for troops?
During his service in the Korean War he entertained troops as a ventriloquist.
Where did Stu Gilliam perform in the 1950s and 1960s?
He played to Black audiences across the country, including at the Apollo Theater in New York City, while the Playboy Club circuit booked him before largely White crowds.
What TV shows was Stu Gilliam on?
Gilliam appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show, Playboy After Dark and The Dean Martin Show, and co-starred in the CBS sitcom Roll Out during the 1973-74 season.
Who did Stu Gilliam voice in Harlem Globetrotters?
In the Hanna-Barbera cartoon Harlem Globetrotters, he voiced Freddie "Curly" Neal.
When was Stu Gilliam born?
Stu Gilliam was born in Detroit on July 27, 1933, and died on October 11, 2013.
