Fats Waller Biography

Born in New York City, Thomas "Fats" Waller was an American jazz pianist, organist, composer and comedic entertainer. A skilled pianist -- widely recognized as a master of stride piano -- Waller was one of the most popular performers of his era, finding critical and commercial success in his homeland and in Europe. Waller was also a prolific songwriter, with many songs he wrote or co-wrote still known to modern audiences, such as "Honeysuckle Rose", "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "Squeeze Me".

Appears in three films: Hooray for Love (1935), King of Burlesque (1936) and Stormy Weather (1943). Composed two New York stage shows "Keep Shufflin'"(1928) and "Hot Chocolates"(1929).