Oscar Micheaux Biography

(Author)

Birthday: January 2, 1884 (Capricorn)

Born In: Metropolis, Illinois, United States

Oscar Micheaux was an African-American author, film producer, and director. He is regarded as the most successful African-American feature filmmaker of the early 20th century. Best remembered for producing race films, he also authored several books and novels, including ‘The Conquest’ which was adapted into a film. Born in a family of 13 kids, Micheaux grew up as a rebellious child. His family’s financial condition forced him to ditch his farmhouse and move to the city in search of a job. Micheaux initially found a marketing job and later tried several other odd jobs. His discontentment with his financial status and desire to earn more inspired him to open his own business. He eventually took up writing and got his first book published in 1913. He wrote seven novels and also tried his hands in filmmaking, producing over 45 movies for the African-American audiences between 1919 and 1948. He was married twice. Micheaux died in 1951 of heart failure, at the age of 67.
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Quick Facts

Also Known As: Oscar Devereaux Micheaux

Died At Age: 67

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Alice B. Russell (m. 1926), Orlean McCracken (m. 1910–1917)

father: Calvin S

mother: Belle Michaux

siblings: Ethel Michaux Wilson, Finis Micheaux, Gertrude Michaux Cravens Sims, Ida Micheaux Payne, Lawrence Micheaux, Maude Micheaux Pritchette, Olive Michaux Robinson, Swan Micheaux, Veatrice M. Micheaux, William Owen Micheaux

Born Country: United States

African American Authors Novelists

Died on: March 25, 1951

Cause of Death: Heart Failure

U.S. State: Illinois

More Facts

awards: Directors Guild of America Awards
1986 Golden Jubilee Special Award
Hollywood Walk of Fame
6721 Hollywood Boulevard

  • 1

    What was Oscar Micheaux's contribution to the film industry?

    Oscar Micheaux was a pioneering African American filmmaker known for producing and directing over 40 films that depicted the African American experience in the early 20th century.

  • 2

    How did Oscar Micheaux navigate the racism and discrimination in the film industry?

    Oscar Micheaux faced significant challenges due to racism and discrimination in the film industry. Despite these obstacles, he independently produced his films and created opportunities for African American actors and crew members.

  • 3

    What themes did Oscar Micheaux's films often explore?

    Oscar Micheaux's films frequently addressed themes of racial injustice, social inequality, and the complexities of African American identity in the United States during his time.

  • 4

    What was the significance of Oscar Micheaux's role in African American cinema?

    Oscar Micheaux played a crucial role in African American cinema by providing a platform for telling authentic stories of the African American experience and challenging stereotypes prevalent in mainstream media.

  • 5

    How did Oscar Micheaux influence future generations of filmmakers?

    Oscar Micheaux's innovative approach to filmmaking and his commitment to representing African American perspectives inspired future generations of filmmakers to continue advocating for diversity and inclusion in the industry.

Childhood & Early Life
Oscar Micheaux was born on January 2, 1884, in Metropolis, Illinois, the United States, to Calvin and Belle Michaux. He had twelve siblings.
He alongside his siblings and parents moved to the city where he studied at a well-established school for many years. He returned to his family farm after his family ran out of money. Micheaux eventually took a marketing job in the city.
After the age of 17, he did many different jobs and also started his own shoeshine stand business. He then moved to South Dakota where he served as a homesteader.
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Writing Career
Oscar Micheaux wrote seven novels. His first book was ‘The Conquest: The Story of a Negro Homesteader’ that was published in 1913. The book was largely autobiographical and depicted his early life and marriage to a great extent.
In 1915, he published his novel 'The Forged Note'. This was followed by ‘The Homesteader’ that was later adapted into a feature flick under the same name.
From 1941 to 1947, the author published four novels, namely ‘The Wind from Nowhere’, ‘The Case of Mrs. Wingate’, ‘The Story of Dorothy Stanfield’ and ‘Masquerade, a Historical Novel’.
Film Career
Oscar Micheaux’s first film was ‘The Homesteader’. Inspired by his eponymous novel, the film was released in 1919. It starred Charles D. Lucas, Evelyn Preer, Iris Hall, and Inez Smith.
His second film was ‘Within Our Gates’ that he produced independently after World War I. The film revolved around a mixed-race school teacher who is almost raped by her landlord’s brother who turns out to be her biological father.
During this time, Oscar Micheaux also produced ‘The Brute’ and ‘The Symbol of the Unconquered,’ both of which released in 1920.
This was followed by 'The Gunsaulus Mystery', a silent race film based on the story of Leo Frank, a factory superintendent who kills a teen named Mary Phagan in 1913.
During 1922, Oscar Micheaux made four films, namely ‘The Dungeon’, ‘The Hypocrite’, ‘Uncle Jasper's Will’, and ‘The Virgin of the Seminole’.
He later produced ‘Birthright’ that starred J. Homer Tutt, Salem Tutt Whitney, W. B. F. Crowell, and Lawrence Chenault. He also made ‘A Son of Satan’ that followed the misadventures of a man who decides to spend a night in a haunted home.
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Then in 1925, he came up with ‘Marcus Garland’, a biographical film about the black nationalist Marcus Garvey.
During 1926 and 1927, the producer made ‘The Conjure Woman’ and ‘The House behind the Cedars’, the latter of which sparked controversy due to its mixed-race theme. He ended the decade with the movies 'When Men Betray' and 'The Wages of Sin'.
During the early 1930s, Micheaux produced ‘A Daughter of the Congo’, a story of a mixed-race girl who was stolen after birth and raised by a hostile tribe.
In 1932, he made 'Veiled Aristocrats', a flick that dealt with mixed-race African Americans’ theme of "passing" to avoid racial discrimination. That year, he also released ‘The Girl from Chicago’ that concerned a federal agent who falls head over heels in love with a woman while on assignment.
This was followed by ‘Ten Minutes to Kill’ and ‘Phantom of Kenwood’ which were not highly successful.
In 1934, Oscar Micheaux produced ‘Harlem after Midnight’, a black-and-white silent film that focused on gangsters and kidnappings that happened on the streets of Harlem.
In 1937, he came up with another gangster film titled ‘Underworld’. Starring Sol Johnson, Bee Freeman, and Oscar Polk, the flick focused on a recent black graduate who enters the criminal underworld.
He next produced ‘God's Step Children’. The film is about a widow who begs a young black woman to look after her child whom she cannot afford to feed.
His projects in 1939 included ‘Lying Lips’ and ‘Birthright’. While ‘Lying Lips’ featured Robert Earl Jones and Edna Mae Harris, the latter film starred Carman Newsome as a black Harvard graduate who faces racism.
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His last films were ‘The Notorious Elinor Lee’ and ‘The Betrayal’ which were released in 1940 and 1948, respectively.
Family & Personal Life
Oscar Micheaux married Orlean McCracken in 1910. His wife reportedly fled with his money.
His second marriage was with Alice B. Russell in 1926.
Death & Legacy
Oscar Micheaux died on March 25, 1951, in Charlotte, North Carolina, the United States. He was 67. Following his death, the Oscar Micheaux Award was established. Also, the Producers Guild of America launched an annual award to honor him.
Gregory, South Dakota, celebrates the Oscar Micheaux Film Festival annually.
Duke University’s the Oscar Micheaux Society honors his work from time to time.
In 2002, noted African-American philosopher Molefi Kete Asante listed Oscar Micheaux in his ‘100 Greatest African Americans’ list.
In June 2010, a 44-cent commemorative stamp was issued in the memory of Oscar Micheaux by the US Postal Service.
In 2014, Block Starz Music Television released a documentary film titled ‘The Czar of Black Hollywood’. This film chronicled the personal life and career of the legendary filmmaker.
Facts About Oscar Micheaux

Oscar Micheaux was a trailblazing African American filmmaker who wrote, directed, and produced over 44 films during the early 20th century, making him a pioneer in independent cinema.

Despite facing significant challenges and discrimination in the film industry, Micheaux persevered and paved the way for future generations of Black filmmakers to tell their stories on screen.

Micheaux was known for his innovative storytelling techniques and his commitment to addressing important social issues such as racism, discrimination, and social justice in his films.

In addition to his work in film, Micheaux was also a successful author, publishing several novels that explored themes of race, identity, and the African American experience in the United States.

Oscar Micheaux's impact on cinema and literature continues to be celebrated today, as his work remains an important part of African American cultural history and the history of independent filmmaking.

See the events in life of Oscar Micheaux in Chronological Order

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