[CityBoyDoug]

Lincoln Theodore Monroe Andrew Perry (May 30, 1902 – November 19, 1985), better known by the stage name Stepin Fetchit, was an American comedian and film actor.
Perry parlayed the Fetchit persona into a successful film career, eventually becoming a millionaire, the first black actor in history to do so. He was the first black actor to receive featured screen credit in a film.



MGM

In the movies, Stepin' Fetchit was a down-home country boy, dressed in rags and farm overalls. He epitomized the mumbling, shuffling, buck-eyed buffoon who acted like he didn't know his a-- from a hole in the ground. On the other hand, Lincoln Perry was a man of ostentatiousness, if not downright style. In real life, he was the new high-steppin', hip dressin' fella who had it all togetha while wearing custom designed and imported cashmere suits, some costing as much as $1000 a piece. Much of his wardrobe was reported to have been purchased (and retailored) directly from Rudolph Valentino's tailor after the death of the 20's movie icon in 1926. Lincoln Perry often referred to himself in such a way that clearly elevated him among the elite of Hollywood and something more than what society and the entertainment industry confined him to. Unfortunately, the free-wheeling spending and recklessness would eventually catch up with him. Doesn't it always? But for awhile, Perry and his chauffers, Fred and Phillip, were permanent fixtures throughout South Central in his late 20's Cadillac Phaeton.


MGM