About Canada Lee

About The Foundation

The Book by Frances Lee

Canada Lee…

Was much more than just a great actor. He cared deeply about his fellow man and he fought diligently to break down the barriers of racism.

About Canada Lee

Canada Lee (born Leonard Lionel Cornelius Canegata on March 3, 1907) was one of the greatest actors of his generation. No one who witnessed his performances on the stage and screen (his films included: “Lifeboat”, “Body and Soul”, “Cry, the Beloved Country”) could fail to be affected by his blazing talent, and the dignity and humanity he always imparted. He was a self-trained actor who used his musical training and

About The Foundation

The memories, artifacts, and insightful legacy of Canada Lee were lovingly preserved over the years by his widow, Frances Lee Pearson, who created the original Canada Lee Foundation shortly after his death in May, 1952. In December 2005, while still working on her book, Frances began work on establishing a new foundation. The Canada Lee Heritage Foundation received its 501c3 charter in early 2007. Our desire and vision is to

The Book by Frances Lee

My late husband, Canada Lee, died on May 9, 1952. Because my memories of him are so very alive, both Canada and I will be telling you the story of his life and my years with him.
Throughout this narrative, you will be reading his words as well as my own regarding events as he described them to me. Frequently, we will use the vernacular of that era, some 50 to 60 years ago, words that are no longer widely used.

Canada Lee

Canada Lee Speaking. (Our World magazine – Our World Foto: Wilbert H. Blanche)

Canada Lee (born Leonard Lionel Cornelius Canegata on March 3, 1907) was one of the greatest actors of his generation.

No one who witnessed his performances on the stage and screen (his films included: “Lifeboat”, “Body and Soul”, “Cry, the Beloved Country”) could fail to be affected by his blazing talent, and the dignity and humanity he always imparted. He was a self-trained actor who used his musical training and his background as a jockey and prize fighter, to inform the movement and physicality of his performances. His deep, melodious voice was also a great asset.

However, Canada Lee was much more than just a great actor. He cared deeply about his fellow man and fought diligently to break down the barriers of racism. In fact, his concern for furthering brotherhood and equality was so deeply ingrained in him, that he only accepted roles that would enable him to educate society and help benefit his race.