Born in Monroe, Louisiana, to Frank, an old-time Dixie band leader, and Marcella, Moreland began acting as a teenager, running away to join a minstrel show in 1910. By the late 1920s, he had made his way through vaudeville, and Broadway. Initially, Moreland appeared in a slew of low-budget "colored cast" movies aimed at African-American audiences, but as his comedic talents shone, he received roles in larger productions.Monogram Pictures signed Moreland to appear opposite Frankie Darro in the studio's popular action pictures. He was given star treatment at Monogram, often receiving top billing...