Comedian Nempsey Russell Comments on Black Jokes in 1968

In the 1950s, Russell appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show, which led to his receiving a supporting part in 1960 as a New York policeman in the sitcom Car 54, where are you? He became a co-host of ABC’s Les Crane Show in 1965. In the 1970s, he was co-star of the ABC sitcom Barefoot in the Park and appeared regularly on The Dean Martin Show and The Dean Martin Comedy World. Russell died at 87 in New York City.

Here is a wonderful autograph letter signed of fine content, one page, 8 ½” x 11”, dated December 14th, 1968, to Billy, apparently a fan inquiring about race related material in Russell’s act. This was period of great tumult on the American scene, the year when both Bobby Kennedy, a supporter of equality, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. were assassinated.

Russell writes: “Thanks for thinking of me – But I’m de-emphasizing the accent of race-material in my act. “There are many guys doing it now and some not doing it very well – besides. Second, that kind of joke doesn’t get the kind of laugh it did when the subject was newer and not as serious.” Excellent bold signature Nipsey Russell. Light toning on the letter else excellent condition and wonderful historic content regarding race relations in the 1960s.