Harold Cromer

Harold "Stumpy" Cromer spent more than half a century as a tap dancer and comedian, performing across vaudeville stages, Broadway, television, and theater. His Broadway career began with DuBarry Was a Lady, where he danced and appeared in comic sketches alongside Ethel Merman, Bert Lahr, and Betty Grable. He went on to tour with the show.

As World War II drew to a close, Harold "Stumpy" Cromer teamed up with James Cross to form the dance act Stump and Stumpy. The duo toured and performed with many of the era's biggest names — Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Billie Holiday, Franchot Tone, and Ella Fitzgerald. They also became regulars on Milton Berle's TV variety show and appeared in episodes of "Dragnet" and "Gunsmoke."

When rock 'n' roll overtook live entertainment, Harold "Stumpy" Cromer shifted to emceeing and toured with artists such as LaVern Baker, dancing onstage while she sang "Jim Dandy."

A lifelong New Yorker, Harold "Stumpy" Cromer started dancing on the streets before his teens, earning nickels and dimes to help support his family during the early Depression years. He grew into an accomplished jazz tap dancer, though his early act featured novelty routines — tapping on roller skates among them. After his family relocated to Harlem, he began working spots like the Kit Kat Club, developing his own routines and, at times with James Cross, writing his own sketches. He remained active into his 80s, dancing and performing in cabaret shows.