Those We Lost — September 19

Honoring those we lost on September 19 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind.

Rex Ingram

Full name: Clifford Rex Ingram

Born October 20, 1895 — died September 19, 1969

Actor of Hollywood’s golden age.

Ingram commanded rare major roles for a Black actor of his era — De Lawd in The Green Pastures, the towering Genie in The Thief of Bagdad, and Jim in Huckleberry Finn — bringing grandeur and gravity the scripts seldom deserved.

Bernie Casey

Full name: Bernard Terry Casey

Born June 8, 1939 — died September 19, 2017

NFL receiver, painter, poet, and actor.

Casey lived three full lives: Pro Bowl-caliber receiver for the 49ers and Rams, exhibited painter and published poet, and beloved actor in Brian’s Song, Cleopatra Jones, Revenge of the Nerds, and I’m Gonna Git You Sucka. He refused to choose just one gift.

Arthur Mitchell

Full name: Arthur Adams Mitchell Jr.

Born March 27, 1934 — died September 19, 2018

Ballet pioneer and founder of Dance Theatre of Harlem.

The first Black principal dancer at New York City Ballet, Mitchell answered Dr. King’s assassination by founding Dance Theatre of Harlem in 1969 — building, from a Harlem garage, the company and school that changed the color of classical ballet forever.