Born Name:  Spencer Bell

Born Date:  September 25, 1887

Born Place:  Lexington, Kentucky

Died Date:  August 18, 1935

Died Place:  Los Angeles, California

Occupations:  Comedic actor

Brief Biography:  Spencer Bell (1887–1935) was a pioneering African American stage and film actor during the silent film era. He is historically significant for being the first Black comedic actor to be signed to a formal film contract.

Early Life and Military Service:
Bell worked as a chauffeur before entering the entertainment industry through vaudeville and minstrel shows. He was also a veteran of World War I, having served in the United States Army.

Career and Notable Roles:
Bell’s film career spanned approximately 15 years, during which he appeared in over 70 comedy shorts. He is best known for his frequent collaborations with silent film star Larry Semon, often playing the comedic sidekick.
The Wizard of Oz (1925): One of his most famous roles was as "Snowball" (also credited as Rastus or the Cowardly Lion) in Larry Semon’s silent adaptation. He was notably billed under the demeaning stage name "G. Howe Black" in several Semon films, a practice that drew criticism even from contemporary reviewers at the time.
Mickey McGuire Series: In the 1930s, he appeared alongside a young Mickey Rooney in the Mickey McGuire short film series.
Final Appearance: His last film role was in the 1934 short Mickey's Medicine Man.>Brief Biography: