The Resume

(February 12, 1903-February 28, 1998)
Born in Danville, Kentucky
Robert Todd Duncan
Operatic bass-baritone
Originated the role of Porgy on Broadway, in Gershwin's 'Porgy and Bess' (1935)
Signature roles also included Stephen in 'Lost in the Stars,' Tonio in 'Pagliacci,' Escamillo in 'Carmen,' The General in 'Cabin in the Sky,' and Turiddu in 'Cavalleria Rusticana'
Appeared in feature films 'Syncopation' (1942) and 'Unchained' (1955)
Professor of Voice at Howard University in Washington D.C.. for over 50 years

Why he might be annoying:

He went into unofficial retirement several times, returning to show business each time.
He liked to perform the 'Plenty o' Nothin' number on his back during matinee performances.
He originated a role many civil rights leaders have called demeaning towards African-Americans (hard to make an argument like that with a repertoire like 'I Got Plenty O' Nothin' and 'Bess You Is My Woman Now'...)
He admitted to suspecting that Gershwin was looking to fool around with his wife during rehearsals, once even trying to 'take him into an alley' to settle it like men.
Righteous Brothers fans (or fans of the song in general) have been known not to take to his rendition of 'Unchained Melody,' characterizing it as comparatively tepid (even if the setting and mood of the film required it to be).

Why he might not be annoying:

His interest in music started after his mother taught him the piano.
He was the first African American to sing in an opera with an otherwise white cast.
He became the first black artist to appear at the New York City Opera (1945).
He sustained lifelong knee problems from performing on his knees as Porgy.
He played the role of Porgy more than 1,800 times (in both the original run, and touring revivals).
He was the first artist to record the 'Unchained Melody' song, which became a hit despite being an obscure number sung in a bit 'prison inmate' role.
He was awarded the George Peabody Medal of Music from the Peabody Conservatory of Music of Johns Hopkins University (1984).
He was personally selected by Gershwin for the role of Porgy (out of more than 100 applicants).
The latter half of his singing career included over 2,000 performances in 56 countries.
He led protests of the Washington National Theatre's policy of segregated seating - eventually management relented to his and the cast's demands (1936).

Credit: BoyWiththeGreenHair

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
• Black Men Loved by Whites
• BoyWiththeGreenHair’s Profiles [Series 10]
• Celebrities Born on the Same Date [February] (Ranked: 2121903)
• I am a Kentuckian
• I Attended Columbia
• I Covered 'Unchained Melody'
• I Died in 1998 (Ranked: 95)
• I Portrayed a Cripple
• I Recorded 'Summertime'
• Known By a Middle Name
• Look at Me, I'm Postage
• Look at Me, I'm Relaxing
• Look at My Tongue
• My Song was Inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame (Ranked: 1990)
• Opera Singers and Composers
• Profiles 38751-38951 (Ranked: 38920)
• Teachers

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 53 Votes: 50.94% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 3 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 9 Votes: 44.44% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 9 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 10 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 110 Votes: 56.36% Annoying