Jester on 'TheTonight Show" hosted by Jay Leno 1989

This appearance of Jester on the Tonight Show was with guest host, Jay Leno, who would later take over the show from Johnny. I think the show is now hosted by Jimmy Fallon. Jester was starring in the sitcom, Amen, which was produced by Johnny Carson's production company. He brought Jester on several times. This was around 1989.

[@UncleBensChannel]

I got to sing with Jester Hairston when he directed the Rowan Chamber Choir and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in 1994. Amazing man, amazing career, his filmography goes from 1936 to 1999, He passed in 2000.

[@HAL_9000__]

This dear man is responsible for one of the sweetest scenes in movie history. His song and his voice is used when Sidney Poitier sings "Amen" in "Lilies of the Field".i

[@kccountrykid]

What a wonderful man! Most folks don't know of his impact on spiritual music. He visited our small Kansas town when I was in high school in 1979, and we got him to direct a few of his songs our college choir performed on our Spring Break tour when we visited California in 1982. I was the accompaniest on one of the songs, so I had him autograph my copy. I will treasure that forever.

[@MercOne]

What a wonderful man he was. He made the show Amen too. Always a riot and a true treasure.

[@newmoonessentials]

He is such a class act and his giggle is so cute

[@TheAto2000]

I'm so glad I found out the name of the show he was in the 1990s.I liked "Rolly" as a kid

[@lisagaines2296]

Loved this tidbit into his long illustrious life, I wish I had known more about him during that time. Only just recently discovered him through the old reruns of Amen tv series on Tubi. He was a treasure ❤

[@katrinajones8788]

Jester lived eleven more years after this interview.

[@NEONOIRERA]

Beautiful spirit…

[@keilana6]

Always loved him on TV. Great hearing about his career & especially about his family history. 💖 He was such a blessing in music. Brought a lot of joy to many lives through music and the happiness on his face.

[@aaronflowers8881]

I love him

[@renealexander2703]

Love Jester on "Amen."

[@texasstadium]

This man reminds me so much of the Black men in my neighborhood growing up in the 1950's. Great personality, great everything.

[@hapticsav3605]

I'm watching Rolly on AMEN right now 😂😂God rest is beautiful soul❤❤

[@GerardFreeman]

He also appeared in Amos and Andy every now and then

[@randleqgod]

This man makes me want to go after my dreams and stop the bs.

[@MarkKramKarmVI]

Amen🌍🌏🌎👌

[@DevinS695]

Loved how he talked about his wife. She may have been gone but she still made him laugh and be all giddy.

[@svanablak]

that man was BRILLIANT!!! think about what he endured in boston!!! from umass to tufts!!! he shoulda been a SUPERSTAR in hollywood!!!

[@tirrellwilson1390]

After your forefathers bought us whiped the hell out of us stole everything from us i made it all the way to 92 yrs old isn't that incredible you guys that he endured all he went through? Bless us God.

[@ARIZJOE]

Such a talent, such an intelligent man, an American original. I wish you would post his first appearance on "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson." Jester told of his meeting the legendary film composer Dimitri Tiomkin. He used a very political incorrect term. But I admired him for his honesty. And I never saw Johnny laugh so hard.

[@hsimpson6581]

He was the best of the best !

[@22lyric]

Thank you for this video!! I just saw a Kingston Trio Christmas special. They sang "Mary's Boy Child" and mentioned Mr. Hairston. Wow, all that he's done. I love his laugh! Love Jay Leno, too. I can imagine all the interesting and talented people he got to meet. Sorry I didn't get to meet you, Mr. Hairston!

[@oldblackstock2499]

He wrote the Christmas song " Mary's Boy Child" . You've probably heard it.

[@Eclectic999]

Mr. Hairston had such a mellifluous voice

[@user-jt8xp3bg2x]

Great American gentleman

[@tyrusgilliam2030]

Did he ever finish his book?

[@MarkKramKarmVI]

Amen👌🌎🌏🌍

[@TF-gf3fs]

Did Jay call Jester remedial?

[@randleqgod]

Yeah I think he did.

[@TF-gf3fs]

@@randleqgod He's far from remedial and Jay's show needed to be cancelled for that.

[@NEONOIRERA]

He was talking about the crowd

[@mlcooks8663]

Jay Leno is so whack

[@newmoonessentials]

He evolved as time went on.