Johnny Hudgins (May 5, 1896 – 1990) was a vaudeville performer. He sometimes performed in blackface. Hudgins was nicknamed the Wah-Wah Man (wah-wah) and was known for his mime performances accompanied by accomplished trumpeters. He was friends with fellow vaudevillian Josephine Baker who he performed with in the show Chocolate Dandies.[1] He was also in the show Lucky Sambo.[2] He used burnt cork to blacken his face and performed with exaggerated white lips in many of his performances.[3] His performances drew rave reviews and imitators. Hudgins sought to copyright his performance art.
Hudgins performed with Florence Mills and was accompanied by trumpeters including Doc Cheatham, Johnny Dunn, Joe Smith (trumpeter), Louis Metcalf and Rex Stewart.[1]
Hudgins was born in Baltimore, Maryland.[1]
Hudgins performed in Harlem's clubs, toured America, and toured Europe where he was referred to as a "colored" Charlie Chaplin.[1] He also performed with his wife Mildred Martien and Fredi Washington. Martien was lifelong friends with Josephine Baker.[4]
Hudgins featured in films including a Pathé film of Hudgins performing to "Renoir Charleston" in Jean Renoir's Charleston Parade with Catherine Hessling and in the film A Night in Dixie.
He was photographed by Edward Elcha.[5] Emory University has a collection of his papers.[6]