🥷Who Was This Black Ninja?
Woody Strode: A Groundbreaking Legacy in Sports and Film
Early Life and Background
Woodrow Wilson Woolwine Strode was born on July 25, 1914, in Los Angeles, California. He was of African American and Native American descent (his grandmother was Cherokee), growing up in a racially tense era that offered few opportunities for Black men in sports or film. Strode attended UCLA, where he was a standout athlete and classmate of Jackie Robinson and Kenny Washington.
Trailblazer in Sports
Before his acting career, Woody Strode made history as one of the first Black players to break the NFL color barrier in the modern era. Along with Kenny Washington, he signed with the Los Angeles Rams in 1946—just months before Jackie Robinson debuted in Major League Baseball. Strode also briefly played professional Canadian football.
Transition to Acting
Strode’s striking physique and commanding presence helped him land early film roles, often as warriors, slaves, or athletes. In the 1950s, he began getting more substantial parts. His breakthrough came in 1960’s Spartacus, where he played the gladiator who fights Kirk Douglas in one of the film’s most iconic scenes. That role earned him international attention.
Career Highlights
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Sergeant Rutledge (1960) – Directed by John Ford, this was one of Hollywood’s first films to feature a Black man as the lead in a heroic role. Strode played a Black cavalry soldier falsely accused of rape and murder. The role challenged stereotypes and showcased his acting depth.
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The Professionals (1966) – He appeared alongside Burt Lancaster and Lee Marvin in this action Western.
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The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) – Reunited with John Ford, Strode played Pompey, a loyal and dignified aide.
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Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) and various Italian Westerns – He found consistent work in Europe, particularly during the "Spaghetti Western" boom.
Later Career and Personal Life
Strode continued acting into the 1990s, including a small role in The Quick and the Dead (1995), which was released posthumously. He was also a wrestler and posed for fitness and physique magazines in the 1940s. He was married to Hawaiian princess Luukialuana Kalaeloa, and they had two children. His wife passed in 1980.
Legacy
Woody Strode broke racial barriers in both sports and Hollywood. He was one of the first Black actors to play roles of dignity and strength rather than comic relief or stereotypes. His collaboration with John Ford and his international success paved the way for future generations of Black actors.
Death
Strode passed away from lung cancer on December 31, 1994, at age 80 in Glendora, California.
“Woody was a prince. He was the Black John Wayne.” – Director John Ford
B.Israel 🥷
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