---
name: "Scatman Crothers"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/scatman-crothers"
fi1m_id: "scatman-crothers"
imdb_id: "nm0001079"
tmdb_id: 7077
wikidata_id: "Q501996"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "23 May 1910"
died: "22 November 1986"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 7
average_fi1m_score: 77
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 6
updated: "2026-10-07T04:24:10.727508+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Scatman Crothers

## Identity

Scatman Crothers

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/scatman-crothers
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** scatman-crothers
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001079
- **TMDB ID:** 7077
- **Wikidata ID:** Q501996
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scatman_Crothers, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q501996, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001079/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/7077

Actor. Born 23 May 1910 in Terre Haute, Indiana, USA. Died 22 November 1986.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 23 May 1910, Terre Haute, Indiana, USA
- **Died:** 22 November 1986
- **Active:** 1973–1986
- **Also known as:** Benjamin Crothers, Benjamin Sherman "Scatman" Crothers, Benjamin Sherman Crothers, اسکیتمن کراترز
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 7: 6 acting, 1 other
- **Frequently works with:** [Jack Nicholson](https://film.one/person/jack-nicholson.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 77, as actor, over 6 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1960s 56 (1), 1970s 78 (4), 1980s 76 (2)
- **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 4 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 3, Crime 2, Horror 2, Thriller 2, Action 1, Comedy 1
- **Screen time:** 8 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $240m across 4 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scatman_Crothers, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q501996, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001079/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/7077

## Streaming the US now

- **The Roku Channel:** [*Twilight Zone: The Movie*](https://film.one/film/twilight-zone-the-movie.md) (63)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Scatman Crothers

> Scatman Crothers brought a rasping voice and an unforced friendliness to supporting parts. We rate him for making those characters worth our attention, particularly when the people around them are louder or more alarming.

As Hallorann in *The Shining* (1980), Scatman Crothers gives us someone we are willing to listen to. Stanley Kubrick's patient tracking shots and oppressive music make the hotel difficult company, and Crothers brings an approachable manner into it. We found his warmth reassuring, which made the surrounding menace harder to bear. Jack Nicholson sometimes makes the danger too obvious; Crothers's less emphatic presence is welcome beside him. His contribution matters because we want the company of this particular person in a place that makes us uneasy.

His increasing voice work and supporting roles in the 1970s made good use of a performer who had begun as a singer, drummer and guitarist. *The Aristocats* (1970) put that musical background to use in his voice performance as Scat Cat. *Chico and the Man* (1974–1978) gave him a regular television role as Louie the Garbage Man. His animation work also included the voice of Jazz in *The Transformers* series and film.

Miloš Forman's *One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest* (1975) casts him as Orderly Turkle, another supporting part that benefits from his ease. The film's account of mental illness is too simple, but its performances keep the men on the ward from becoming illustrations of a problem. Crothers belongs in that praise: he makes a character feel at home in the film without demanding that it stop to accommodate him. He appeared in four films with Nicholson, and these two offer a useful introduction.

The reservation is how often he was asked to be friendly and avuncular. So much supporting and voice work leaves us with less evidence of what he might have done in a substantial departure from that casting. We would have liked more opportunities to find out. On a return to *The Shining*, give him some of the attention Nicholson so readily claims.

## Biography

Scatman Crothers was an American actor and musician. Born Benjamin Sherman Crothers on 23 May 1910 in Terre Haute, Indiana, he died on 22 November 1986 in Van Nuys, California.

He began performing as a musician in the 1920s and appeared in films from the 1950s. Crothers played Dick Hallorann in Stanley Kubrick's *The Shining* (1980) and Orderly Turkle in *One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest* (1975). He voiced Scat Cat in the animated film *The Aristocats* (1970) and Jazz in *The Transformers* (1984) and *The Transformers: The Movie* (1986). He also played Louie the Garbage Man in the television series *Chico and the Man*.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (7)

### Performed in (6) — the average rests on these

- *Twilight Zone: The Movie* (1983), Fi1m 63, as Mr. Bloom — [page](https://film.one/film/twilight-zone-the-movie.md)
- *The Shining* (1980), Fi1m 88, as Hallorann — [page](https://film.one/film/the-shining.md)
- *Roots* (1977), Fi1m 83, as Mingo — [page](https://film.one/tv/roots.md)
- *Silver Streak* (1976), Fi1m 63, as Ralston — [page](https://film.one/film/silver-streak.md)
- *One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest* (1975), Fi1m 86, as Orderly Turkle — [page](https://film.one/film/one-flew-over-the-cuckoos-nest.md)
- *Kojak* (1973), Fi1m 80, as Gaylord Fuller — [page](https://film.one/tv/kojak.md)

### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *Hello, Dolly!* (1969), Fi1m 56, as Mr. Jones (Porter) (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/hello-dolly.md)

## Complete filmography (104)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Transformers: 40th Anniversary Event* (2024), as Jazz (archive audio)
- *Scooby-Doo! and the Pirates* (2011), as (voice) (archive footage)
- *Transformers: The Return of Optimus Prime* (1987), as Jazz
- *Rock Odyssey* (1987), as Jukebox (voice)
- *The Transformers: The Movie* (1986), as Jazz (voice)
- *Morningstar/Eveningstar* (1986), series, Actor
- *The Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye* (1986), as Jazz (voice)
- *The Journey of Natty Gann* (1985), as Sherman
- *Paw Paws* (1985), series, as Eugene the Genie (voice)
- *The Transformers* (1984), series, as Jazz (voice)
- *Two of a Kind* (1983), as Earl
- *Twilight Zone: The Movie* (1983), as Mr. Bloom — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/twilight-zone-the-movie.md)
- *Casablanca* (1983), series, as Sam
- *Missing Children: A Mother's Story* (1982), as Mose Wheeler
- *Deadly Eyes* (1982), as George Faskins
- *It Takes Two* (1982), series, Actor
- *Matt Houston* (1982), series, Actor
- *Hotel* (1982), series, as Garland Fisk
- *Zapped!* (1982), as Dexter Jones
- *Jokebook* (1982), series, as Theme Song Performance
- *Working* (1982), as Parking Attendant
- *One of the Boys* (1982), series, as Bernard Soloman
- *American Playhouse* (1982), series, as Parking Attendant
- *The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island* (1981), as Dewey Stevens
- *Hill Street Blues* (1981), series, Actor — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/hill-street-blues.md)
- *Magnum, P.I.* (1980), series, as Tickler
- *The Harlem Globetrotters Meet Snow White* (1980), as Nate (voice)
- *Bronco Billy* (1980), as Doc Lynch
- *The Shining* (1980), as Hallorann — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/the-shining.md)
- *Scavenger Hunt* (1979), as Sam
- *Banjo the Woodpile Cat* (1979), as Crazy Legs (voice)
- *Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo* (1979), series, as (voice)
- *The Super Globetrotters* (1979), series, as Nate Branch / Liquid Man (voice)
- *Flying High* (1978), series, Actor
- *Vega$* (1978), series, Actor
- *Taxi* (1978), series, as Walt — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/taxi.md)
- *The Cheap Detective* (1978), as Tinker
- *Mean Dog Blues* (1978), as Mudcat
- *The Incredible Hulk* (1977), series, Actor
- *The Love Boat* (1977), series, as Virgil Gibson
- *Scooby's All-Stars* (1977), series, as Hong Kong Phooey (voice)
- *Roots* (1977), series, as Mingo — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/roots.md)
- *Silver Streak* (1976), as Ralston — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/silver-streak.md)
- *Chesty Anderson U.S. Navy* (1976), as Ben Benson
- *The Shootist* (1976), as Moses
- *Stay Hungry* (1976), as William
- *Laverne & Shirley* (1976), series, Actor
- *Friday Foster* (1975), as Reverend Noble Franklin
- *One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest* (1975), as Orderly Turkle — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/one-flew-over-the-cuckoos-nest.md)
- *Starsky & Hutch* (1975), series, Actor
- *Coonskin* (1975), as Pappy / Old Man Bone (voice), Songs
- *Man on the Outside* (1975), as Ruben Hammer
- *The Fortune* (1975), as Fisherman
- *Linda Lovelace for President* (1975), as Super Black
- *Win, Place or Steal* (1975), as Attendant
- *Kolchak: The Night Stalker* (1974), series, as Uncle Filemon
- *Chico and the Man* (1974), series, as Louie
- *Hong Kong Phooey* (1974), series, as Hong Kong Phooey (voice)
- *Truck Turner* (1974), as Duke
- *Sty of the Blind Pig* (1974), as Doc
- *Black Belt Jones* (1974), as Pop Byrd
- *Kojak* (1973), series, as Gaylord Fuller — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/kojak.md)
- *Griff* (1973), series, as Joe Rawls
- *Scooby-Doo! Meets the Harlem Globetrotters* (1973), as (voices)
- *Slaughter's Big Rip-Off* (1973), as Cleveland
- *Detroit 9000* (1973), as Reverend Markham
- *The King of Marvin Gardens* (1972), as Lewis
- *Lady Sings the Blues* (1972), as Big Ben
- *Temperatures Rising* (1972), series, Actor
- *The New Scooby-Doo Movies* (1972), series, as Meadowlark Lemon (voice)
- *The Lorax* (1972), as Singer
- *Sanford and Son* (1972), series, Actor
- *Chandler* (1971), as Smoke
- *McMillan & Wife* (1971), series, as Floyd
- *Nichols* (1971), series, as Jack
- *The Aristocats* (1970), as Scat Cat (voice)
- *The Great White Hope* (1970), as Carnival Barker (uncredited)
- *The Odd Couple* (1970), series, as Blind Man
- *Harlem Globetrotters* (1970), series, Actor
- *Bloody Mama* (1970), as Moses
- *Hello, Dolly!* (1969), as Mr. Jones (Porter) (uncredited) — Fi1m 56, [page](https://film.one/film/hello-dolly.md)
- *Love, American Style* (1969), series, as One-Man Band
- *Hook, Line and Sinker* (1969), as The Corpse (uncredited)
- *Adam-12* (1968), series, as George Strothers
- *Mannix* (1967), series, Actor
- *Ironside* (1967), series, as Jason
- *Bewitched* (1964), series, as Handler
- *The Patsy* (1964), as Shoeshine Boy
- *Lady in a Cage* (1964), as Mr. Paul's Assistant (uncredited)
- *The Sins of Rachel Cade* (1961), as Musinga
- *Tarzan and the Trappers* (1960), as Tyana, Tyana (as Sherman Crothers)
- *Johnny Midnight* (1960), series, as Train Attendant (uncredited)
- *Bourbon Street Beat* (1959), series, as Joe
- *Bonanza* (1959), series, as Jud
- *Porgy and Bess* (1959), as Crabman
- *Alias Jesse James* (1959), as Railroad Porter (uncredited)
- *Between Heaven and Hell* (1956), as George (uncredited)
- *The Adventures of Jim Bowie* (1956), series, Actor
- *Alfred Hitchcock Presents* (1955), series, as Timothy
- *Walking My Baby Back Home* (1953), as Smiley
- *East of Sumatra* (1953), as Baltimore (as Scat Man Crothers)
- *Meet Me at the Fair* (1953), as Enoch Jones
- *Yes Sir, Mr. Bones* (1951), as Scatman
- *Lux Video Theatre* (1950), series, as Johnson

## Gallery

- ![Jet magazine](https://film.one/media/person/59610/gallery-459163b81578.jpg) Jet magazine — Various - Published by Johnson Publishing Company, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fb/Jet_13_Nov_1952_pg_PA61.jpg/1280px-Jet_13_Nov_1952_pg_PA61.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Scatman Crothers (1943)](https://film.one/media/person/59610/gallery-0e96d5eec2dd.jpg) Scatman Crothers (1943) — Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7c/Scatman_Crothers.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Scatman Crothers performing at UCLA (1960)](https://film.one/media/person/59610/gallery-6d151575e01e.jpg) Scatman Crothers performing at UCLA (1960) — Associated Students, University of California, Los Angeles, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b4/Scatman_Crothers_-_Southern_Campus_1960.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Scatman Crothers](https://film.one/media/person/59610/gallery-91f7aad4c0f9.jpg) Scatman Crothers — Associated Students, University of California, Los Angeles, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c3/Scatman_Crothers_-_Southern_Campus_1960_crop.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Scatman Crothers](https://film.one/media/person/59610/gallery-e00116d89d9a.jpg) Scatman Crothers — Image via TMDB
- ![Scatman Crothers](https://film.one/media/person/59610/gallery-5f1448040684.jpg) Scatman Crothers — Image via TMDB
- ![Scatman Crothers](https://film.one/media/person/59610/gallery-76f2dce8d44c.jpg) Scatman Crothers — Image via TMDB
- ![Photo of guest star Scatman Crothers and Redd Foxx as Fred Sanford from the television program Sanford and Son. (1975)](https://film.one/media/person/59610/gallery-4aa879d9b1ac.jpg) Photo of guest star Scatman Crothers and Redd Foxx as Fred Sanford from the television program Sanford and Son. (1975) — NBC Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e4/Scatman_Crothers_Redd_Foxx_Sanford_and_Son_1975.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)

## Awards

### Other awards — 2 won

- Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame 1987: Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame (won)
- Saturn Awards 1980: Best Supporting Actor (won), for *The Shining*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/scatman-crothers