Avon Long

American Broadway actor and singer (June 18, 1910 – February 15, 1984). Long performed in a number of Broadway shows, including [I]Black Rhythm[/I] (1939), [I]Porgy and Bess[/I] (as Sportin' Life in the 1942 revival), and [I]Beggar's Holiday[/I] (1946). He was a featured singer and dancer in the Cotton Club (New York) in 1934. Lena Horne credits him with bringing her out of the chorus and into the spotlight. Long and Lena Horne co-introduced the Harold Arlen-Ted Koehler composition "As Long As I Live" in [I]Cotton Club Parade[/I] (1934). He reprised his role of Sportin' Life in the 1951 Columbia Masterworks recording of [I]Porgy and Bess[/I]. He also co-starred with Thelma Carpenter in the 1952 revival of [I]Shuffle Along[/I], which they recorded for RCA Victor. Long received a Tony Award nomination for Best Supporting or Featured Actor (Musical) in 1973, for the role of Dave in [I]Don't Play Us Cheap[/I]. He originated the role of John in [I]Bubbling Brown Sugar[/I] on Broadway in 1976. He also appeared in a number of films and television shows.