Kenneth Lee Spencer ( 25 April 1911 - 25 February 1964 ) , usually known as Kenneth Spencer , was an African-American opera singer and actor . A talented bass-baritone , Spencer starred in a few Broadway musicals and musical films in the United States during the 1940s . Frustrated with the racial prejudice he experienced in the United States , Spencer moved to West Germany in 1950 where he had a successful opera and concert career . He also appeared in a number of German films . His career was cut short when he died in the crash of Eastern Air Lines Flight 304
Eastern Air Lines Flight 304
Eastern Air Lines Flight 304
Kenneth Lee Spencer