The Resume

(September 3, 1902-September 28, 1973)
Played Birmingham Brown in 'The Chinese Cat,' 'The Jade Mask,' 'The Scarlet Clue,' 'The Shanghai Cobra' and 'Charlie Chan in the Secret Service'
Acted as himself in 'Mantan Messes Up,' 'Mantan for Mayor' and 'Riverboat Rhythm'

Why he might be annoying:

He acted in the notoriously racist 'Charlie Chan' movies.
One infamous scene involved his walking through a dark room with only the whites of his eyes showing.
He played a character called 'Negro Waiter' in the 1943 film 'Slightly Dangerous.'
He was portrayed as hyperactive, scared, fearful and buggy-eyed in the Charlie Chan films.
To add insult to injury, his Charlie Chan character was called 'Birmingham Brown.'
He shared his first name with a '60s brand of paint-on tan.

Why he might not be annoying:

His character is generally accepted as the funniest Charlie Chan character.
He did a series of films in which he played himself.
He was billed high in the credits of his Charlie Chan movies.
He had some success after the Charlie Chan films.
He did both Sidney Toler and Roland Winters' Charlie Chan films.

Credit: Abacab

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• Black Comedians
• Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame Members and Honorees [1973-2005] (Ranked: 1984)
• Buddy! Dude! Man! Guy!
• Double M Initials
• I Am Vaudeville [M-Z]
• I Died in 1973 (Ranked: 71)
• I Portrayed Myself
• I'm Buried at Vallhalla Memorial Park [Hollywood, Ca]
• Profiles 16751-17000 (Ranked: 16812)
• Wacky Eyes

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 14 Votes: 35.71% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 13 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 5 Votes: 20.0% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 19 Votes: 21.05% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 6 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 19 Votes: 36.84% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 10 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 12 Votes: 41.67% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 14 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
In 2010, Out of 23 Votes: 39.13% Annoying
In 2009, Out of 27 Votes: 40.74% Annoying
In 2008, Out of 35 Votes: 51.43% Annoying
In 2007, Out of 73 Votes: 54.79% Annoying
In 2006, Out of 123 Votes: 47.15% Annoying
In 2005, Out of 7 Votes: 57.14% Annoying