Scatman Crothers

Birth Name: Benjamin Sherman Crothers

Date of Birth: May 23, 1910

Place of Birth: Terre Haute, Indiana, U.S.

Date of Death: November 22, 1986

Place of Death: Van Nuys, California, U.S.

Ethnicity: African-American

Scatman Crothers was an American actor and musician. His roles included the films Bloody Mama, The Aristocats, as Scat Cat; The King of Marvin Gardens, Lady Sings the Blues, Truck Turner, The Fortune (1975), One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Friday Foster, The Shootist, Silver Streak, The Cheap Detective, Scavenger Hunt (1979), The Shining, Bronco Billy (1980), Zapped! (1982), Twilight Zone: The Movie, The Journey of Natty Gann, and The Transformers: The Movie (1986); and the shows Chico and the Man, and, in voice performance, Hong Kong Phooey, Harlem Globetrotters, and The Transformers. He performed in speakeasies in the 1930s.

Scatman was the son of Fredonia and Benjamin “Benj” Crothers. He took on his stage name after his scat singing. Scatman was self-educated in guitar and drums. He was married to Helen Sullivan, until his death, with whom he had one child. Helen was the daughter of Hungarian immigrants.

Scatman’s paternal grandfather was named Abraham “Abe” Carothers/Crothers (the son of William Howell Carothers). Abraham was born in Tennessee.

Scatman’s paternal grandmother was named Sarah Lomax. Sarah was born in Tennessee.

Scatman’s maternal grandfather was named George D. Lewis. George was born in Virginia.

Scatman’s maternal grandmother was named Georgiana Thomas. Georgiana was born in Tennessee.

Sources: Genealogies of Scatman Crothers – https://www.wikitree.com
https://www.findagrave.com