O'Neal, Frederick, 1905-1992

Frederick O'Neal was an African-American actor and director in theater, motion pictures, radio and television, as well as a labor leader in performing arts unions. Primarily a character actor, O'Neal began his career in St. Louis, Mo., where he organized the Aldridge Players. After more than ten years of acting in road companies throughout the West and Midwest, in 1936 O'Neal settled in New York City. In 1940, together with Abram Hill, he co-founded the American Negro Theatre (ANT) in Harlem, and in 1944 he made his Broadway debut in the role of the comic bully in "Anna Lucasta" with Hilda Simms, which was originally produced by the ANT on its stage, and later taken to London.

By the mid-1960's, O'Neal had become active in Actors' Equity Association (AEA). After serving in a number of positions with the union, in 1964 he was elected its president, a post he held until 1973. As the first African-American president of AEA, he worked with producers to end discrimination in the casting of its members. In 1969 he became a member of the AFL-CIO Council, and from 1970 until his retirement in 1988, he was president of the Associated Actors and Artistes of America.

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