A memorial service is scheduled Jan. 21 at First AME Church for singer-dancer Lennie Bluett, a Los Angeles native who portrayed a Yankee soldier in “Gone With The Wind” and appeared in a host of other classic films.
Bluett’s family announced that he died on New Year’s Day, just a few days prior to his 97th birthday.
Born in the Jefferson Park area of Los Angeles, Bluett once sang as a teenager at parties at Humphrey Bogart’s house, where his mother was a cook for 30 years. His father was a driver for Buster Keaton.
Bluett performed in such films as “Sprit of Youth” (1938) starring Joe Louis, “Star Spangled Rhythm (1942) starring Bing Crosby and Bob Hope, “Thank Your Lucky Stars” (1943) starring Eddie Cantor, “State of the Union” (1948) with Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn, and “A Star is Born” (1954) with Judy Garland.
His family said that during the filming of “Gone With the Wind.” Bluett spoke to Clark Gable about the on-set outdoor toilets that were posted with Jim Crow signs designating “Colored” and “White” only. Gable reportedly went to director Victor Fleming and requested the signs be removed. And they were.
During World War II, Bluett entertained troops in Hawaii and later spent years as a piano bar entertainer with the Royal Viking cruise line.
Former Los Angeles City Councilman Tom LaBonge knew Bluett and once referred to him as “the mayor of Los Feliz.”
Bluett is survived by a daughter, Nicole, and a niece, Michelle.
