Does anyone miss sitting down talking to their grandfathers and getting history lessons. This reminds me of those wonderful years.

As a student teacher in college, I was Jester’s chauffeur at a weekend choral festival in 1977 at Longview, Texas. Every night he asked me to come in his room for a few minutes. His routine was the same every night. He got his PJs on, laid out all of his various prescribed medications, lay down in bed, and call his wife. He always wanted me to stay long enough to talk to his wife and reassure her that he took every pill. Then he would ask me to stay a little longer and visit. Actually, he just needed someone to talk to. So I listened as he closed his eyes and the stories began to flow! Yes, his music, acting, conducting was impeccable, but he was the most incredible human I’ve ever met.

This is the actor Jester Hairston who played Rolly on the TV show Amen.

Idk how I came across this but I'm happy I did

My entire life I loved listening to older peoples stories

Based on what he said. His birthday was July 9, 1901 and he would be 92 that year and we are in 2024. My calculations say that this was filmed 31 years ago. Rest well Mr. Gentlemen.

92 years old looking amazing 🫡

My mom was his caretaker for some many years while he was on Amen unto he passed...he would teach us the song Amen he wrote it

123 Years Later Here I am watching & listening to your story Mr. Jester. I Really Pray that God Had Blessed your Soul to be Reincarnated.

I’m a Hairston as well…my grandfather was Juble Hairston;, Jr.! Rich history and legacy!

The civility and congeniality is refreshing. We really don't have to divide and hate.

The fact that he wasn’t a slave and he wasn’t a slave owner but became great friends is amazing..he followed this mans career even at their old age…neither one feels any hatred or entitlement about anything..just two friends catching up..

What beautiful souls they both had. I've heard that the Hairston Family is still close both black and white. I say bless them all with peace and tranquility.

These guys are talking about the 20s and WWII like it was yesterday 😂😂 😂😂

My mom met Jester in the late 80s at a family reunion in Homestead. He was already on Amen. He signed a dollar and gave it to her.

I had not heard of Jester Hairston until today and i feel like ive missed out on someone super important

This is how everybody should behave this should be a good lesson for people to get along

For those that have "Take me to Church," the famous "Amen" line comes from the song "Amen" by Jester Hairston and it was used for the movie "Lilies of the Field" in 1963. Otis Redding sang a cover and made his own version singing the "amen" line that inspired Hozier

I love the freindship beautiful

Oh my god, I am speechless. I just stumbled upon this video. The video looks as if it was taken 30 years ago. The man is 92!. walking , talking, sharp as day. And in great health...god, is good. What a wild story. Not, too many people can trace back their family's history.

Regal, Black and etherally beautiful ✨

Owner and Slave, no not at all, we talk about the grandson and great grandson....

Not sure how I happened upon this story but glad I did. What a blessing to be this alert and articulate at 92. Their shared history is part of the fabric of this country and an example of a positive friendship Great post. Rip .....🌺🪻🌹🌷🌷🌺

I could watch Jester all day I love older ppl.

That's what a good Christian man should do. LEAD BY EXAMPLE. ❤🙏🇺🇲

How is it that these two men that were involved in the situation can sit together and have peaceful conversation but, those that weren't even thought of at those times stir up so much hate and confusion!?

Better men from a better world, things we lost in the fire.

I love the way they talk to one another

I bet both are God fearing men. That's why they love and respect each other and not hate one another. ❤. God is love

Jester Hairston was the Great Grandfather of one of my best friends from elementary school till we graduated together, I used to love to watch him on the t.v. show Amen,he was born not to far from me,Belews Creek N.C!

Mr. Hairston reminds me of my grandmother. She mentioned ONCE how she was (my words, not hers) "cheated" out of money supposedly deducted from her wages for social security. In the 1940s-1950s she worked as a maid and cook for a white family. There was no anger in her voice when she told me that story. She never spoke negatively of whites or anyone else.

As a high school student in the 60’s, I sang in the choir. Multiple high school choirs in California met at the university in Stockton. We had the wonderful experience of singing beautiful Spirituals together and being directed by Mr. Jester Hairston. I will never forget it!

Black and White - Beautiful Harmony

That last shot of them walking away was beautiful 🎥❤️

Look at how kind they are to each other. The respect…the pathetic youth of today could learn something from it but they won’t. Colleges have taught them how to NOT learn anything of use…our elders are history books just waiting to be tapped. They need to be better protected in our country (elderly care ect) ❤️❤️❤️

I swear him and my great grandmother Inez were twins! They looked so much alike. They were first cousins!

He looks so much like my Daddy ! RIH!💙🙏🏼🕊 Can't wait to go to the Hairston reunion!

Older generations were superior to offerings of today . Less spoiled . More grateful , less wasteful and just better people

Jester Hairston also acted on one of my favorite old television shows Amos 'n' Andy

Wow this video was amazing, ! Hello Family, My great-grand uncle was James Edward Harrison who married Lee Ana Gaines. I grew up less than 2 miles from Homestead, PA in West Mifflin.

These are some real life history lessons that should be watched in school. I am so touched by this video and interview with the genuine between these two gentlemen.

I see this video and one thing comes to my mind: WE ALL WILL GET OLD, DIE AND GIVE ACCOUNT OF OUR SINS.

Even if you did not know how accomplished and scholarly Mr. Hairston was, he still would have that dignified bearing and you'd treat him with respect. I wish someone would post the video of Jester telling Johnny Carson about legendary composer Dimitri Tiomkin offering him a job to do choral arrangements for the movies. Not PC, but I never saw Johnny laugh so hard. Jester just told it like it was.

I miss him he was such a great actor Amen was one of my favorite shows as a kid

Love and miss my uncle.

Really, really enjoyed this clip. Thank you for sharing!!

I used to love watching Rolly on "Amen" as a little girl. Don't know why this popped up in my feed, but im glad it did. I really enjoyed listening to them.🙏🏾💜

What a beautiful picture

The African American gentleman, didn't he play on the sitcom "Amen" with Sherman Hemsley?

Actor from Amen❤

This goes to show how civil people who can put difference aside and get along just fine. today's societies look towards difference instead of similarities. We are all the same people, only different upbringing .

Mr. Hariston was also on a few episodes of Amos and Andy. What a legacy he left. Much respect to our Ancestors. ❤

Jester was the best person in the world !!

This should be shown in schools. Social media has people who have nowhere near as close connection as these two do to slavery, hating each other over slavery. It's really sad that these two were longtime friends and now strangers are at each others throats.

What a beautiful friendship ❤❤ i could listen to them all night

This is so beautiful, so much love between these two. God is good. 🕊️🕊️🕊️

Needs more views

God bless this family!

This sounds just like the man that played rollie on AMEN is this him oh my what a treat if this is him❤

Very cool! I was born in PA, and live in Mocksville.

I live by Homestead PA. God bless both of them

It’s the spirit of God in human that makes them respect other human beings irrespective of skin color.

Awesome! May they both rest in peace! Two humble, accomplished men!!

I wish the older white Grays and black Grays did this. I would love to hear the stories they have about our hometown.

Did not know he grew up in Homestead. I went to college in Pittsburgh, worked there and raised my children there. Drove through Homestead a few weeks ago!

may our Heavenly Father cover their soul and spirits the forgiver and the changer

God bless both these men ❤️

This is how it is supposed to be. Beautiful

My high school chorus teacher had us perform a song that he composed called “Poor Man Lazarus”.

❤my cousin ( the hairston clan) my Family my great grandfather was Collie Hairston

My great grandpa was born in 1903 and died in 2005 at 101 his dad was a slave and he used to talk about how white people were so hatful towards black people

This is a, wow factor ❤

SSSHHHIIIIIIIIIIINNNEEE ON MEEEEEEE!! my family loved that show.

May he rest in peace.. Jester grew up in Pennsylvania.. very interesting story..

I love them thank you

So many people love the idea of a slave being friendly with their slave owner…y’all typed that and didn’t think it was concerning

Amen

When was this video recorded?

Wow.

Crazy how he can be friends

In short, BOSS AND WORKER. Like today.

This man understands things better than people do today even though he was so much closer to the reality of what slavery was for the short time it was in America

I’ve always said that he looks just like my grandpa on my daddy’s side ❤❤

I was NOT expecting to hear Pittsburgh or Homestead. Wow

I know well who my family is. Any servitude was given of love, not ownership.

#1 God our Father and creator owns everything 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾😘 live your life that he may be pleased because he will judge 🤔

The fact that their are so many people proud to carry their slave owners last name 🤦🏽‍♀️ To act as if this was some type of healthy dynamic. Insane.

I don't know how this appeared on my recommendations but I am very intrigued can somebody please explain their relationship and who they are

What a very misleading title. Neither of these men were alive when slavery was around, their parents weren’t even around when slavery was still around. You are not responsible for the actions of your ancestors. You are not responsible for the actions of your grandparents or even your parents. We are born in this world as individuals and these two men you can tell are very good friends. You are not defined by your families past, you are defined by the actions you take today. It’s crazy how we got along so much more in the 90s and early 00s than we do today. It’s crazy how we got along more 125 years after slavery than we do 160 years after slavery.

wow 👍

Oh wow

Massa boi this the souf💯💯💯🤷🏿‍♂️

I wish Mr. Hairston knew he was an Israelite and God’s chosen people before he died. RIP sir My mother loved he’s humor! Christ the black Messiah is coming.🔥🔥🔥🔥

July 9, 1901 he would be 92 yrs. Old!!! Amen !!!!

His grandfather chose to keep the last name , jester had nothing to do with that. Nor did Peter, you hold the people responsible for slavery responsible not the ones that came after the slavers, there will never be forgiveness progress if we don’t . Not that I should mention this but I will I’m black , a women and a veteran, and can see that they have at least tried to transcend past the hurts and injustices to become great friends and it is obvious that Peter admires Jester !

On Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

The hog pen behind the out house!!!!

He once came to Columbia and spent time with w.j. Keenan high school Choi

Indianapolis Motor Speedway is listed by Guinness as the largest stadium in the world, and it easily holds 280,000.......but not other stadium in the world comes close to that

Can tell the difference between slave and Master. All I see is two old men sitting and chatting about the old days. The eyes of the Lord will set you free.