Age, Biography and Wiki
Pigmeat Markham (Dewey Markham) was born on 18 April, 1904 in Durham, North Carolina, U.S., is an American entertainer (1904–1981). Discover Pigmeat Markham's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 77 years old?
Popular As |
Dewey Markham |
Occupation |
Comedian
actor
singer
dancer |
Age |
77 years old |
Zodiac Sign |
Aries |
Born |
18 April 1904 |
Birthday |
18 April |
Birthplace |
Durham, North Carolina, U.S. |
Date of death |
1981 |
Died Place |
The Bronx, New York, U.S. |
Nationality |
United States
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We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 18 April.
He is a member of famous Comedian with the age 77 years old group.
Pigmeat Markham Height, Weight & Measurements
At 77 years old, Pigmeat Markham height not available right now. We will update Pigmeat Markham's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.
Physical Status |
Height |
Not Available |
Weight |
Not Available |
Body Measurements |
Not Available |
Eye Color |
Not Available |
Hair Color |
Not Available |
Who Is Pigmeat Markham's Wife?
His wife is Bernice Markham (m. ?–1981)
Family |
Parents |
Not Available |
Wife |
Bernice Markham (m. ?–1981) |
Sibling |
Not Available |
Children |
Not Available |
Pigmeat Markham Net Worth
His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Pigmeat Markham worth at the age of 77 years old? Pigmeat Markham’s income source is mostly from being a successful Comedian. He is from United States. We have estimated Pigmeat Markham's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.
Net Worth in 2024 |
$1 Million - $5 Million |
Salary in 2024 |
Under Review |
Net Worth in 2023 |
Pending |
Salary in 2023 |
Under Review |
House |
Not Available |
Cars |
Not Available |
Source of Income |
Comedian |
Pigmeat Markham Social Network
Instagram |
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Linkedin |
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Twitter |
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Facebook |
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Wikipedia |
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Imdb |
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Timeline
Dewey "Pigmeat" Markham (April 18, 1904 – December 13, 1981) was an African American entertainer.
Though best known as a comedian, Markham was also a singer, dancer, and actor.
His nickname came from a stage routine, in which he declared himself to be "Sweet Poppa Pigmeat".
He was sometimes credited in films as Pigmeat "Alamo" Markham.
For a time he was a member of Bessie Smith's Traveling Revue in the 1920s.
Later, he claimed he originated the Truckin' dance which became nationally popular at the start of the 1930s.
In the 1940s he started making film appearances.
In 1946 he recorded "Open the Door, Richard".
Markham was a familiar act at New York's famed Apollo Theater where he wore blackface makeup and huge painted white lips, despite complaints the vaudeville tradition was degrading.
The book Showtime at the Apollo suggests, "He probably played the Apollo more often than any other performer."
Due to the years of racial segregation in the entertainment world, he was not widely known by white audiences, and had almost exclusively performed on the "Chitlin' Circuit" of vaudeville, theatres, and night clubs and appeared in several race films, including William D. Alexander's 1949 revue film Burlesque in Harlem, which documented the Chitlin' Circuit.
Starting in the 1950s Pigmeat Markham began appearing on television, making multiple appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show.
His boisterous, indecorous "heyeah (here) come da judge" schtick, which made a mockery of formal courtroom etiquette, became his signature routine.
Markham would sit at an elevated judge's bench (often in a black graduation cap-and-gown, to look more impressive), and deal with a series of comic miscreants.
He would often deliver his "judgments", as well as express frustration with the accused, by leaning over the bench and smacking the accused with an inflated bladder-balloon.
He had hit comedy recordings in the 1960s on Chess Records, and saw his routine's entry line become a catchphrase on the Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In NBC television show, as did his phrase "Look that up in your Funk & Wagnalls."
He is also known for his 1968 single "Here Comes the Judge", which is often considered to be the earliest hip hop record.
Markham was born in Durham, North Carolina.
His family was the most prominent on their street, which came to be called (and later officially named) Markham Street in the Hayti District.
Markham began his career in traveling music and burlesque shows.
Markham's most famous routine was "discovered" by the general public only after Sammy Davis Jr. had performed it as a guest on the March 25, 1968 episode of Laugh-In.
The phenomenal ripple effect of Davis's version of "the judge" led to Markham's opportunity to perform his signature Judge character himself as a Laugh-In regular during the 1968–69 television season.
Archie Campbell later adapted Markham's routine, performing as "Justus O'Peace," on the country version of Laugh-In, Hee Haw, which borrowed heavily from the minstrel show tradition.
Thanks to his Heyeah come da judge routine, which originally was accompanied by music with a funky beat, Pigmeat Markham is regarded as a forerunner of rap.
His song "Here Comes the Judge" peaked at number 19 on the Billboard and other charts in 1968.
He published an autobiography, Here Come the Judge!, in the wake of his Laugh-In success.
The song "Here Comes the Judge" was prominently sampled by Big Audio Dynamite II in the song "Rush".
Markham died of a stroke at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx at the age of 77.
He is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in The Bronx, New York City.