Biography

For about 15 years before his death, he, his family, and community supporters, continually fought the city of Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency to try to save their historic Ebony Showcase Theatre and Cultural Arts Center complex from redevelopment abuse which led to eminent domain, the agency's pre-judgment right to possession, and the subsequent demolition of the theater without a demolition permit. The Ebony Showcase was located on Washington Boulevard, near La Brea Avenue, in Los Angeles.

(1988/1989) Lent his voice talent once again to Disney for the Splash Mountain attraction at Disneyland. He supplied the voice of Bre'r Bear for the ride as he did for the animated film "Song of the South" (1946)

Was the last surviving cast member from the early 1950s series, The Amos 'n Andy Show (1951). Stewart died on December 18, 2000, exactly one week to the day after the City of Los Angeles Redevelopment Agency held its groundbreaking for a new theater, owned by the city and eventually named after L.A. City Councilman Nate Holden. This was to be built in the same lot as the Ebony Showcase Theatre, founded by Nick and Edna Stewart, which had been demolished by the agency on September 3, 1998.

Stewart was born near the legendary Harlem Cotton Club. He was first active as a tap dancer at the Harlem Hoofer's Club and at the Cotton Club, on the same bill with Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. During the 1920s and 1930s, he also went on the vaudeville circuit and did stand-up comedy. In Los Angeles he performed with the Fanchon & Marco vaudeville troupe in 1932. Starting in films in 1936, he was variously billed as Nicodemus Stewart, Horace Stewart, Nick O'Demus or simply as Nicodemus.

In 1950, with his wife Edna Stewart, founded the Ebony Showcase Theatre in Los Angeles.