Ernest Trimingham

One of the first black actors to appear in British films. Actor/Playwright Ernest A. Trimingham born in Bermuda in 1879. Moved to England to pursue a successful theatrical career in the early 1900's. Wrote and starred in the musical play 'The Lily of Bermuda' it was the first entirely black themed production ever stage in Britain making its first appearance at the Theatre Royal in Manchester in 1909 produced by Anglo-Arabic businessman and literary agent Druce Mohamed Ali, sadly the play was not a success. Ernest appeared in few films, it is believed he made his film debut as Beetle in Charles Raymond's 'The Adventures of Dick Turpin - The King of Highwaymen for the British & Colonial Film Company in 1912, His most memorable role as Pete in Eddie Willey's 'Jack, Sam and Pete' made in 1919 co-starring Percy Moran, based on the popular boys' stories by S. Clarke Hook. His last screen appearance was in Horace Lisle Lucoque's 'Where the Rainbow Ends' starring Babs Farren at British Photoplay Film Co in 1921 and his last stage appearance was in London's West End in 1941. Died in 1942 age 63.