In 1920, his portrayal of Brutus Jones in Eugene O’Neill’s play, The Emperor Jones, was hailed as “revelatory.”

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He became the first Black dramatic star in a lead role on Broadway, and was named one of its finest actors.

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Gilpin immediately became the darling of the theater world, receiving accolades and recognition no other Black actor had ever gotten—even being invited to the White House.

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But by 1930, while O’Neill went on to become a legend, Gilpin was lost to history.