Joe Jenkins (dancer) explained

Joe Jenkins was an American dancer who moved to Australia and appeared in a number of TV plays. He was a rare black actor who played lead roles in Australian film industry at the time.^{[1] [2]} He was the first black actor to play a lead role in an Australian TV drama.^[3]

Jenkins came to Australia with the Katherine Dunham Dance Company and decided to stay.^[4] He made his acting debut in The Square Ring.^[5]

Select filmography

• Rita (1959) - TV opera
• Make Outs Music (1959) - variety
• Cafe Continental
• The BP Super Show (1959) - variety show, guest star
• The Square Ring (1960)
• The Emperor Jones (1960)^[6]
• The Two Headed Eagle (1960)
• The End Begins (1961)
• Call Me a Liar (1961)
• Just Barbara (1961) and Chez Barbara - variety show starring Barbara Virgil - Jenkins was a regular performer

External links

• Joe Jenkins at Ausstage
• Joe Jenkins at IMDb

Notes and References

1. Filmink. Stephen. Vagg. The A to Z of Non-White Aussie Movies and TV in White Australia. May 25, 2020.
2. News: Negro in "Live" Drama. Sydney Morning Herald. 30. June 13, 1961.
3. Filmink. Stephen. Vagg. The Flawed Landmark: Burst of Summer. 15 November 2020.
4. News: The Age. Survival Drama. 16 March 1961. 12.
5. News: Sydney Morning Herald. Drama of the Ring. 18 April 1960. 19.
6. News: Emperor Jones on Television. Sydney Morning Herald. 16 June 1960. 7.