Thomas Dartmouth Rice, also known as “Daddy Rice” or “Jim Crow Rice,” was a significant figure in American entertainment during the 19th century. Born on May 20, 1808, in New York City, he became famous for his blackface performances and is often referred to as the “father of American minstrelsy”.
Minstrel performer Thomas D. Rice
Rice’s most famous act was the character “Jim Crow,” which he first performed in 1828. This character was based on a folk trickster and involved Rice using African American vernacular speech, song, and dance. His performance of the song “Jump Jim Crow” became immensely popular and led to the widespread use of the term “Jim Crow” to describe laws enforcing racial segregation in the Southern United States.
Rice’s influence extended beyond the United States, as he also toured England, where his performances were well-received. Despite the controversial nature of his work, Rice’s impact on American theater and popular culture was profound, shaping the minstrel show tradition that persisted into the early 20th century. Amateur minstrel shows continued into the 1960s.