Herb Jeffries

Publish date: 2024-06-07

Jeffries in 2011, photo by kathclick/Bigstock.com

Birth Name: Herbert J. Jeffrey

Date of Birth: September 24, 1913

Place of Birth: Detroit, Michigan, U.S.

Date of Death: May 25, 2014

Place of Death: West Hills, Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Ethnicity:
*father – African-American, some African-Canadian
*mother – Irish

Herb Jeffries is an American actor, and jazz singer and songwriter. He was known for his baritone voice. He was known as the Bronze Buckaroo, Herbert Jeffrey, and The Sepia Singing Cowboy.

Herb was the son of Mildred Elva (Dell) and Howard Calvin Ball Jeffrey, who were born in Michigan. His father was African-American. His mother was of Irish descent, with some roots in Canada. Herb had five children, including a daughter with his former wife, burlesque star and motion picture actress Tempest Storm.

Herb’s birth name was said to have been Umberto Alexander Valentino or Umberto Alejandro Balentino or Ballentino. This is not accurate.

Herb was said to be of Sicilian, Ethiopian, French, Italian, and Moorish ancestry. This is also not accurate.

Herb’s paternal grandfather was named Fred Ball. Fred was were born in Ohio or Michigan.

Herb’s paternal grandmother was named Carrie Jeffrey (the daughter of Calvin Jeffrey and Mary). Carrie was born in Ohio or Michigan. Mary was from Canada.

Herb’s maternal grandfather was George Herbert Dell (the son of Robert Dell and Margaret McGinty). George was born in Adelaide, Ontario, Canada.

Herb’s maternal grandmother was named Sarah Annie McDonald. Sarah was born in Michigan.

Sources: Herb Jeffries on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Herb Jeffries on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Obituary of Herb Jeffries – http://www.latimes.com

Marriage record of Herb’s parents – https://www.familysearch.org

Herb’s paternal grandmother, Carrie Jeffrey, on the 1870 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

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