JOHN BUBBLES

February 19, 1902

John William Sublett (known by his stage name John W. Bubbles) was a tap dancer, vaudevillian, and actor.

He was born in Louisville, Kentucky but soon moved to Indianapolis. There he formed a partnership with Ford L. “Buck” Washington and they became known as “Buck and Bubbles.” Buck played piano and sang while Bubbles tapped along. They were so popular that they moved to New York City. 

On Broadway he was the original Sportin’ Life in Porgy and Bess (1935). Since he did not read music, George Gershwin himself had to teach him the songs note by note. It was his third Broadway musical, opening at the Alvin Theatre, the same venue that hosted Lucille Ball in Wildcat nearly 30 years later. 

From 1929 to 1935 he appeared in a series of musical short films with his partner, Buck Washington. Their feature film debut was in 1937′s Varsity Show. He is known as the father of “rhythm tap.”

His first TV appearance (and final screen appearance) was in “The Lucy Show” two-parter “Main Street U.S.A.” (TLS S5;E17) and “Lucy Puts Main Street on the Map” (TLS S5;18) aired in late January 1967. 

Using his own name, he sang and danced with Lucille Ball, Paul Winchell, and Mel Torme. 

Bubbles retired from show business in 1967 after a stroke that left him partially paralyzed. He was married to Wanda Michael, Ruth R. Campbell, Mabel Cordelia (Atwell) Roane, and Viola Jones. 

He died at age 84 on May 18, 1986 in Los Angeles, California.