Google Doodle pays tribute to Oneida comedian Charlie Hill, the pioneering comic who inspired generations of Indigenous performers

Chris Foran
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Groundbreaking Oneida comedian Charlie Hill received a  salute on Google Wednesday on what would have been his 71st birthday. Hill was featured in the illustration, or "doodle," on Google's landing page.

Charlie Hill, the pioneering Native American comedian from Oneida, Wisconsin, was in the spotlight on Google for his 71st birthday Wednesday. 

The lead illustration, or "doodle," on Google's landing page was of Hill, the first Native American standup comic to perform on national television. His appearances inspired, and continue to inspire, generations of Indigenous comedians. 

The illustration is by French-First Nations artist from Oneida Nation of the Thames,  Alanah Astehtsi Otsistohkwa (Morningstar) Jewell, according to Google. 

"I don't even think Charlie Hill realized it when he was alive, but he inspired scores of comedians in Canada and in the United States — First Nations comedians, Native American comedians — to get into the business," Kliph Nesteroff, the author of "We Had a Little Real Estate Problem: The Unheralded Story of Native Americans & Comedy," told the Journal Sentinel in 2021. " … For a lot of people, it just seemed like there was too great a barrier, if you were a native, to get involved in comedy. It was almost like you weren't allowed, it was almost unspoken.

Ground-breaking Native American comedian Charlie Hill, who was from Oneida, Wisconsin, is a central figure in "We Had a Little Real Estate Problem: The Unheralded Story of Native Americans & Comedy" by Kliph Nesteroff.

"You were only allowed to be a stereotype. You weren't allowed to be yourself. Charlie Hill really kind of smashed down those barriers."  

Hill was born in Detroit in 1951, but moved to the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin's reservation, where his father was from, when he was 11. He went to Los Angeles and broke into the standup circuit, becoming friends with future comedy giants including Robin Williams and Richard Pryor.

Pryor gave him a spot on his short-lived NBC series "The Richard Pryor Show"; when Hill refused to do a sketch in which Pryor was to play General Custer, Pryor offered him a standup slot instead. 

Hill continued performing into his late 50s. He later moved back to Oneida, and was diagnosed with terminal lymphoma. He died in 2013 at age 62. 

The Google Doodle page posted Wednesday includes a tribute from Hill's family, who wrote in part: 

" … Charlie was never deterred from pursuing his dream. When Charlie was on stage, he was in his element. Time and space didn’t exist, and he loved making people laugh. He believed it was the best kind of medicine. Through his comedy, Charlie promoted healing and reminded Native people of their resiliency, capabilities, and creative abilities. 

"Storytelling and humor have always been a part of Native American culture and he reminded everyone of this. He established the visibility of Native people and fought to end stereotypes, while also creating a new wave of accurate representation. … 

"Dad, we are so proud of you for who you were, all that you accomplished, the doors you opened, and the multitudes you have inspired and continue to inspire. You were the best father anyone could ever ask for, and you will always be our hero."

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Contact Chris Foran at chris.foran@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @cforan12.