Born Name:  Dewey Markham

Born Date:  April 18, 1904

Born Place:  Durham, North Carolina

Died Date:  December 13, 1981

Died Place:  The Bronx, New York

Occupations:  Comedian, actor, singer, dancer

Brief Biography:  Dewey "Pigmeat" Markham was a foundational figure in Black vaudeville and a major influence on modern comedy and hip-hop, he is best remembered for his signature "Here Come de Judge" courtroom routine.

Early Career and Vaudeville:
Markham began his career as a tap dancer and entertainer in carnivals and traveling shows. He worked the "chitlin' circuit" alongside notable blues musicians like Bessie Smith and later on the burlesque and vaudeville circuits.
The "Sweet Poppa" Persona: His nickname originated from an old vaudeville routine where he declared himself to be "Sweet Poppa Pigmeat".
The Apollo Theater: He was a staple at New York's historic Apollo Theater, frequently performing long-running comedic sketches.

Television and "Here Come the Judge":
Mainstream Breakout: Markham spent decades performing on the segregated "race circuit." However, his career saw a massive mainstream resurgence in 1968 after Sammy Davis Jr. heavily imitated Markham's act on the NBC hit series Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In.
Laugh-In Regular: This popularity landed Markham a regular role performing his signature Judge character on Laugh-In during the 1968–1969 season.
Billboard Hits: He also released several comedy albums through Chess Records, and his 1968 novelty single "Here Come the Judge" became a Top 20 Billboard hit.

Legacy in Rap and Hip-Hop:
Forerunner of Rap: Because Markham frequently delivered his rhythmic, rhyming routines over funky, bluesy backdrops, music historians widely regard him as one of the first rappers in American history.
Autobiography: He published his autobiography, Here Come the Judge!, at the height of his mainstream television success.