The Leroy Awards

Most people remember Sammy Davis Jr. for his legendary career as the token black guy in The Rat Pack. Sammy was such a trailblazing icon for black performers in the 20th century that by the time we reached the 1980s, he had enough industry cred to cameo in made-for-tv children’s theater.

Clearly nobody is standing behind that mushroom.

Mr. Entertainment himself played a hookah-smoking caterpillar in a live-action adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. What’s to appreciate in this Leroy-winning role is not his star power, but his introduction of fruit-flavored tobacco and rap lyrics into the mainstream–without leaving his tap-dancing roots. Between the smoking, giant talking bug, bright colors, and drug-induced dance sequence; a subtle promotion of drugs to children in this way could never happen in 2008, no matter how classic the story or how big the star:

Even in the twilight of his career, Sammy was laying the groundwork in 1985 for other artists. Roughly a decade later, Method Man & Redman would rise to hiphop fame under the same influence (NSFW), sans insect & dance partner. Today’s rappers & blacktors owe a debt of gratitude, so this Leroy is awarded to recognize a true pioneer.