Samuel Rufus McDaniel

 Samuel Rufus McDaniel (January 28, 1886 – September 24, 1962)

McDaniel appeared in over 210 television shows and films between 1929 and 1950. He was the older brother of actresses Hattie McDaniel and Etta McDaniel. McDaniel is known almost exclusively for playing butler, doormen, valet, porter and servant roles in films. One of his best-known roles was Doc, the competent ship's cook, in the Oscar-winning 1937 film Captains Courageous. McDaniel is familiar to modern viewers for his role as Spiffingham the Butler in the Three Stooges film Heavenly Daze (1948). He is the only African-American to ever appear on I Love Lucy, playing "Sam the Porter" in the 1955 episode "The Great Train Robbery". He appeared uncredited as a waiter on a train in both the 1947 film The Egg and I. He also played various supporting roles on TV's The Amos 'n' Andy Show (1951–53). McDaniel died from throat cancer at age 76 on September 24, 1962. He is buried at Valhalla Memorial Park in North Hollywood, California.