Bill Robinson [US1]

Best known as a tap dancer, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson was also an actor and singer. He was the most highly paid African American entertainer in the first half of the 20th century. Robinson made a series of films in the 1930s with Shirley Temple. Robinson was often criticized as an Uncle Tom for accepting the racial stereotypes of his time through the roles he played. In fact, Robinson used his popularity to challenge racial barriers and sought to overcome racial prejudice.