Canada Lee - Actor Profile

Canada Lee

Acting
Updated: Apr 19, 2026
7Total Films
7.7 Highest Rated
Born: Mar 3, 1907
Birth Place: Manhattan, New York, US

About Canada Lee

Canada Lee (born Leonard Lionel Cornelius Canegata; March 3, 1907 – May 9, 1952) was an American professional boxer and then an actor who pioneered roles for African Americans. After careers as a jockey, boxer and musician, he became an actor in the Federal Theatre Project, including the 1936 production of Macbeth adapted and directed by Orson Welles. A champion of civil rights in the 1930s and 1940s, Lee was blacklisted and died shortly before he was scheduled to appear before the House Un-American Activities Committee. He advanced the African American tradition in theatre pioneered by such actors as Paul Robeson. Description above from the Wikipedia article Canada Lee , licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Canada Lee Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of Canada Lee reflects a career marked by diverse experimentation. Across 7 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

A large portion of Canada Lee's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 43% of Canada Lee's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.

One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Scandalize My Name: Stories from the Blacklist, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best Canada Lee Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Canada Lee's career based on audience ratings.

Full Filmography

Every movie Canada Lee has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
1998 Scandalize My Name: Stories from the Blacklist Stephen Kumalo (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
1951 Cry, the Beloved Country Stephen Kumalo Average Similar →
1949 Lost Boundaries Lt. 'Dixie' Thompson Average Similar →
1947 Body and Soul Ben Chaplin Hit Similar →
1944 Lifeboat Joe Spencer Hit Similar →
1942 Henry Browne, Farmer Narrator (voice) Flop Similar →
1939 Keep Punching Speedy Joe Williams (Henry's Trainer) Average Similar →

Canada Lee - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Canada Lee?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Canada Lee is "Scandalize My Name: Stories from the Blacklist" with a rating of 7.7/10.

How many movies has Canada Lee acted in?

Canada Lee has been featured in at least 7 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Canada Lee?

Other notable films include "Lifeboat", "Body and Soul", and "Lost Boundaries".

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