Ralph Cooper (Apollo)
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Ralph Cooper (16 January 1908 - August 4, 1992), was the originator and master of ceremonies of Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater in Harlem.
[edit] Biography
He was born on 16 January 1908 in New York City.[1] He worked as a dancer in small downtown clubs near New York University, which he attended for one semester. In 1935 he started the Apollo's Amateur Night which ran every Wednesday night. The Apollo closed in the 1970s, but the contest was restarted in 1985 after the renovations were completed. He was again the master of ceremonies. His son, Ralph Cooper 2nd, took over the show after his father was hospitalized with cancer.[2] He died on August 4, 1992.[3]
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ Social Security Death Index
- ^ "Ralph Cooper, Who Found Stars At Apollo's Amateur Nights, Dies". New York Times. August 6, 1992. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CEEDB133DF935A3575BC0A964958260. Retrieved 2008-07-29. "Ralph Cooper, the originator and master of ceremonies of Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, died on Tuesday at his home in Harlem. His age was not known, but his associates at the theater said they believed that he was in his mid to late 80's. He died of cancer, said Percy Sutton, a friend and business associate."
- ^ IMDB uses the incorrect date of 4 April 1992
