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Bo Diddley

Bo Diddley was never primarily an actor, but he brought the same commanding rhythm and sly showmanship to the screen that defined his work as a guitarist, singer, songwriter and composer. Born in McComb, Mississippi, on December 30, 1928, he was raised in Chicago and became Ellas McDaniel after his adoption by Gussie McDaniel. His musical beginnings included studying violin and trombone before the rhythmic energy of local Sanctified churches drew him toward the guitar. That rhythm became central to his public identity. In 1955, his self-titled single reached number one on the R&B chart, and an appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show brought him onto American television that same year. Further singles included “Pretty Thing,” “Say Man” and “You Can’t Judge a Book by the Cover.” Across the 1950s and 1960s, his records, live performances and carefully cultivated persona made him a natural screen presence even when acting remained secondary to the music. Movie audiences may know Diddley from his cameo in Trading Places, where he plays a Philadelphia pawn shop owner. It is a compact role, but one that makes good use of his dry authority and unmistakable bearing. He later played the blues and rock musician Axman in the 1990 comedy Rockula. He also appeared as a guitar-carrying pool shark in George Thorogood’s “Bad to the Bone” video and performed alongside B.B. King, Les Paul, Albert Collins, Steve Cropper and George Benson in Legends of Guitar, filmed live in Spain in 1991. His connection to film also ran through the music itself. The soundtrack of the animated Fritz the Cat featured “Bo Diddley,” while his wider career kept crossing into television, concert broadcasts and music video. Whether acting, performing or simply walking into a scene, Diddley carried himself like someone who already understood the power of an entrance.