Scatman Crothers, whose real name was Benjamin Sherman Crothers, was an American actor, musician and singer born on May 23, 1910 in Terre Haute, Indiana, and died on November 22, 1986 in Van Nuys, California. He is best known for his roles in American film and television, as well as for his distinctive voice and musical talent. He began his career as a musician in the 1930s, playing jazz and singing in clubs and on local radio stations. His nickname "Scatman" came from his ability to scat, an improvised vocal technique used in jazz. As well as playing music, he began appearing on television and in films in the 1940s.

On the silver screen, Scatman Crothers is best known for his role as Dick Hallorann in Stanley Kubrick's horror film "The Shining" (1980). His performance in this film remains one of his most famous. He also starred in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (1975), where he shared the screen with Jack Nicholson, and in Clint Eastwood's "Bronco Billy" (1980). On television, Crothers lent his voice to numerous cartoon characters, notably in "Hong Kong Phooey", where he was the voice of the main character. He also had recurring roles in several TV series, including "Chico and the Man" and "The Harlem Globetrotters".