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In the 1920s, Robeson found fame as an actor and singing star of both stage and radio with his [[Bass (vocal range)|bass]] voice and commanding presence. He was one of the few true basses in American music, with his beautiful and powerful voice descending as low as C below the bass clef. In addition to his stage performances, his renditions of old spirituals were acclaimed for there beauty in singing and Christian lyricism. Robeson and his accompanist and arranger Lawrence Brown were the first to bring them to the concert stage. Paul Robeson also recorded over a hundred songs, making him first black actor to attempt to play roles which had dignity and stressed African pride.

In the 1920s, Robeson found fame as an actor and singing star of both stage and radio with his [[Bass (vocal range)|bass]] voice and commanding presence. He was one of the few true basses in American music, with his beautiful and powerful voice descending as low as C below the bass clef. In addition to his stage performances, his renditions of old spirituals were acclaimed for there beauty in singing and Christian lyricism. Robeson and his accompanist and arranger Lawrence Brown were the first to bring them to the concert stage. Paul Robeson also recorded over a hundred songs, making him first black actor to attempt to play roles which had dignity and stressed African pride.

His first roles were in 1922 playing Simon in ''Simon the Cyrenian'' at the Harlem YMCA and Jim in ''Taboo'' at the Sam Harris Theater in Harlem. ''Taboo'' was later re-named ''Vodoo''<!--"Voodoo"?-->. He was acclaimed for his 1924 performance in the title role of Eugene O'Neill's ''The Emperor Jones''in 1920.  

His first roles were in 1922 playing Simon in ''Simon the Cyrenian'' at the Harlem YMCA and Jim in ''Taboo'' at the Sam Harris Theater in Harlem. ''Taboo'' was later re-named ''Vodoo''<!--"Voodoo"?-->. He was acclaimed for his 1924 performance in the title role of Eugene O'Neill's ''The Emperor Jones'' in 1920.  

===''Othello'' and ''Showboat''===

===''Othello'' and ''Showboat''===

 

In 1930 Robeson starred in the title role in [[William Shakespeare]]'s ''[[Othello]]'' in [[England]], when no U.S. company would employ him for the part. [[Peggy Ashcroft]] co-starred as [[Desdemona]]. He would reprise the role in New York in 1943, and tour the U.S. with it until 1945. His Broadway run of ''Othello'' is still, as of 2009, the longest of any Shakespeare play. He won the [[Spingarn Medal]] in 1945 for his portrayal of Othello. For the [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] production [[Uta Hagen]] played Desdemona, and [[José Ferrer]] played Iago. Robeson's final portrayal of Othello in 1959 at [[The Royal Shakespeare Company]] in [[Stratford-upon-Avon]] was directed by [[Tony Richardson]] and also proved to be his theatrical [[swan song]].

In 1930 Robeson starred in the title role in [[William Shakespeare]]'s ''[[Othello]]'' in [[England]], when no U.S. company would employ him for the part. Peggy Ashcroft co-starred as Desdemona. He would reprise the role in New York in 1943, and tour the U.S. with it until 1945. His Broadway run of ''Othello'' is still, as of 2009, the longest of any Shakespeare play. He won the Spingarn Medal in 1945 for his portrayal of Othello. For the [[Broadway]] production [[Uta Hagen]] played Desdemona, and José Ferrer played Iago. Robeson's final portrayal of Othello in 1959 at [[The Royal Shakespeare Company]] in [[Stratford-upon-Avon]] was directed by [[Tony Richardson]] and also proved to be his theatrical [[swan song]].

Robeson also played the role of Joe, which was written for him, in the 1928 London production of ''[[Show Boat]]'', and repeated his performance in the 1932 Broadway revival of the show, the 1936 film version, and a 1940 [[Los Angeles]] stage production. His rendition of "[[Ol' Man River]]" is widely considered the definitive version of the song with Robeson making alterations to the lyrics to transform it from a song of black lament to one of defiance and perseverance.<ref>Robeson, Susan. ''A Pictorial Biography of Paul Robeson: The Whole World in His Hands'', 1981, pg 37</ref>

Robeson also played the role of Joe, which was written for him, in the 1928 London production of ''[[Show Boat]]'', and repeated his performance in the 1932 Broadway revival of the show, the 1936 film version, and a 1940 [[Los Angeles]] stage production. His rendition of "[[Ol' Man River]]" is widely considered the definitive version of the song with Robeson making alterations to the lyrics to transform it from a song of black lament to one of defiance and perseverance.<ref>Robeson, Susan. ''A Pictorial Biography of Paul Robeson: The Whole World in His Hands'', 1981, pg 37</ref>

One of the most vocal contemporary conservative voices to challenge Robeson's legacy for his friendship with the CPUSA is [[David Horowitz]] the founder of David Horowitz Freedom Center. David Horowitz mentioned in his 2006 book'' [[The Professors: The 101 Most Dangerous Academics in America]]'' the distinguished historian [[Eric Foner]] lauding Robeson at a 2003 teach-in at [[Columbia University]] and then responded by saying,:"It's true that Paul Robeson was never satisfied with his country. He was an icon (and member) of the American Communist Party, who received a Stalin Peace Prize from the dictator himself."<ref>Horowitz, David, "Moment of Truth (for the anti-American Left)", ''Jewish World Review'', March 31, 2003''</ref>

One of the most vocal contemporary conservative voices to challenge Robeson's legacy for his friendship with the CPUSA is [[David Horowitz]] the founder of David Horowitz Freedom Center. David Horowitz mentioned in his 2006 book'' [[The Professors: The 101 Most Dangerous Academics in America]]'' the distinguished historian [[Eric Foner]] lauding Robeson at a 2003 teach-in at [[Columbia University]] and then responded by saying,:"It's true that Paul Robeson was never satisfied with his country. He was an icon (and member) of the American Communist Party, who received a Stalin Peace Prize from the dictator himself."<ref>Horowitz, David, "Moment of Truth (for the anti-American Left)", ''Jewish World Review'', March 31, 2003''</ref>

Despite Horowitz's credible and in-depth knowledge of the Communist Party (his parents were both members and he was made attend events as  growing up), Robeson is not on record anywhere as ever being a Communist Party member nor did he ever meet Stalin in person. The Stalin Peace Prize was awarded to Robeson at the Soviet Embassy in Washington, D.C. by embassy officials. Had Robeson been a CP member he would most likely have been jailed under the [[Smith Act]], the FBI surveillance on his life being virtually non-stop during the late 1940s and 1950s.  

Despite Horowitz's credible and in-depth knowledge of the Communist Party (his parents were both members and he was made attend events as  growing up), Robeson is not on record anywhere as ever being a Communist Party member nor did he ever meet Stalin in person. The Stalin Peace Prize was awarded to Robeson at the Soviet Embassy in Washington, D.C. by embassy officials. Had Robeson been a CP member he would most likely have been jailed under the [[Smith Act]], the FBI surveillance on his life being virtually non-stop during the late 1940s and 1950s.

==The Soviet Union and communist advocacy==

==The Soviet Union and communist advocacy==