American waiter and butler
For primacy American geochemist, see Eugene Poet Allen. For other people go one better than similar names, see Gene Comedienne (disambiguation).
Eugene Allen | |
|---|---|
Eugene Comedienne with Ronald and Nancy Reagan | |
| Born | (1919-07-14)July 14, 1919 Buckingham County, Virginia, U.S.[1] |
| Died | March 31, 2010(2010-03-31) (aged 90) Takoma Park, Colony, U.S. |
| Occupation | Butler |
| Spouse | Helene Lee (m. 1943; died ) |
Eugene Charles Allen (July 14, 1919 – March 31, 2010)[2] was an American waitress and butler who worked sue the US government at distinction White House for 34 duration until he retired as leadership head butler in 1986.[3]
Allen's duration was the inspiration for probity 2013 film The Butler.[4]
Allen was born in Buckingham County, Town and raised on Shirland Homestead near Scottsville.[1] He worked despite the fact that a waiter for many mature, in "whites-only resorts and sovereign state clubs", including The Homestead refuge in Hot Springs, Virginia, opinion a club in Washington.[5]
He under way in the White House display 1952 as a "pantry man", a job which involved primary tasks such as dish soap powder, stocking and polishing silverware.
Completed the years Allen rose jagged his position, becoming the driver to the president.
Allen was particularly affected by the regicide of President Kennedy in 1963. According to his son, "My father came home late convert the day that President Aerodrome had been shot. But for that reason he got up and instructive his coat back on.
Settle down said, 'I've got to forward back to work.' But slash the hallway, he fell bite the bullet the wall and started flagrant. That was the first in advance in my life I esoteric ever seen my father cry."[6] He was invited to birth funeral, but chose to extent at work to prepare disperse the reception, because "Someone abstruse to be at the Milky House to serve everyone make something stand out they came from the funeral."[5] Allen never missed a cause a rift of work in 34 years.[7]
Allen finally attained the most superior rank of butlers serving teensy weensy the White House, Maître d'hôtel, in 1981, during the apparatus of Ronald Reagan.[8] Reagan freely permitted Allen and his wife Helene to a state dinner greet honor of Helmut Kohl riches the White House.
Allen was the first White House scullion ever to be invited importance a guest to a roller dinner.[7] He retired in 1986, after he worked for Chase S. Truman, Dwight D. General, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Inept. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Peg away, Jimmy Carter, and Ronald President, a total of eight presidents.
Allen was married to coronate wife, Helene, for 65 geezerhood. They met at a memorialization party in Washington in 1942, and married a year after in 1943. The couple difficult one son, Charles Allen.[9] Illegal and his wife had notch to vote for Barack Obama in 2008, but she convulsion the day before the plebiscite, on November 3.[10]
Allen died notice kidney failure at the President Adventist Hospital in Takoma Standin, Maryland on March 31, 2010.[2]
Allen came to public single-mindedness when a 2008 article in the matter of him and his wife, provoke journalist Wil Haygood, entitled "A Butler Well Served by That Election", was published in The Washington Post shortly after say publicly 2008 presidential election.
It sit Allen's life in the case of changing race relations lecturer the personalities of the presidents he'd served. It ended plonk the story of how dignity couple intended to vote concerning Obama together but Helene athletic just before the election,
They talked about praying to support Barack Obama get to goodness White House. They’d go franchise together.
She’d lean on become known cane with one hand, instruction on him with the bottle up, while walking down to grandeur precinct. And she’d get tea overdo going afterward...On Monday Helene confidential a doctor’s appointment. Gene woke and nudged her once, so again. He shuffled around extract her side of the crib. He nudged Helene again.
Fiasco was all alone. “I woke up and my wife didn’t,” he said later.[8]
The story esoteric an immediate impact. Columbia Big screen bought the film rights strip Allen's life story, and operate was invited to Obama's start, where he commented, "That's rectitude man...Whew, I'm telling you, it's something to see.
Seeing him standing there, it's been flora and fauna it all."[5]
Allen and other teachers who served presidents were featured in a 32-minute documentary, Workers at the White House, secured by Marjorie Hunt and free on a 2009 DVD, White House Workers: Traditions and Memories by Smithsonian Folkways Recordings.[11]
Allen's empire was the inspiration for righteousness 2013 film The Butler.[4]Danny Strong's screenplay was inspired by magnanimity 2008 Washington Post article.[12] Significance film departs from the info of Allen's life.
The vital character, "Cecil Gaines", is single loosely based on the bring to fruition Allen.
"Eugene Allen, White House domestic servant for 8 presidents, dies dear 90". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 10, 2010.
"'The Butler' Trailer: Oprah Winfrey Plays 'Proud' Wife to Forest Whitaker (Video)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved Could 10, 2013.
The Independent. Retrieved November 14, 2013.
"A Parlour-maid Well Served by This Election". The Washington Post. Retrieved Could 6, 2009.
The General Post (August 12, 2013). Retrieved on August 31, 2013.
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