Temple Hatton

A native of Columbia, Missouri, after the end of World War II, Hatton came to California and began acting in college productions and local theatre in the Santa Barbara area. In the early 1950's, he began pursuing a career in motion pictures. While opportunities were slowly emerging for black actors in non-stereotypical roles, because of his very light complexion he was often passed over in favor of his darker-skinned peers such as Sidney Poitier and Greg Morris for parts. He also didn't have the opportunity to play other ethnic types like Frank Silvera, who was often cast as Latinos and occasionally, Asians. After small roles in two films, Hatton gave up acting in the mid-1960's, and found work as an executive for CBS and NBC. From 1968 to 1986, he worked as censor for NBC.