His work in theatre has also secured him numerous appearances on various television programs and films. Notable film roles include song-and-dance men in Funny Lady and All That Jazz. He starred in the television series Tenspeed and Brown Shoe but is probably best known for his role as "Chicken" George Moore in Roots. Other TV appearances include:
* Oz
* Star Trek: The Next Generation
* The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
* The Jamie Foxx Show
* The Love Boat
* The Muppet Show
* The Nanny
* Touched by an Angel
* Webster
* Zoobilee Zoo
Vereen has also performed in one-man shows and actively lectures on black history and inspirational topics.
In 1992, he was accidentally struck while walking on the Pacific Coast Highway by a car driven by producer/composer David Foster.
According to the Fayetteville Observer of April 29, 2006, Vereen learned while applying for a passport in the late 1960s that he was adopted. His birth certificate revealed that his birth name was Benjamin Augustus Middleton, that he was the son of Essie Middleton, and that he was born in Laurinburg, North Carolina. In April of 2006, Vereen visited Laurinburg with a genealogist, and learned that his mother's name was Essie May Pearson, who had died 24 years before. According to her acquaintances, Essie had gone on a trip when Ben was a child, and had left her baby in someone's care. When she returned, the child was gone. In May of 2006, he met his mother's sister, Gloria Walker, of New Haven, Connecticut.
My Funny Valentine
Ben Vereen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sweet, comic valentine
You make me smile with my heart
Your looks are laughable, unphotographable
yet your my favorite work of art
Is your figure less than Greek?
Is your mouth a little weak?
are you smart?
don't change a hair for me
Not if you care for me
Stay little valentine
Stay
Each day is valentine's day
Is your figure less than Greek?
Is your mouth a little weak?
When you open it to speak,
Are you smart?
don't change a hair for me
Not if you care for me
Stay little valentine
Stay
Each day is Valentine's Day
In Ben Vereen's "My Funny Valentine," the singer expresses his love for a person who is not conventionally beautiful but holds a special place in his heart. The first few lines of the song describe the singer's funny, sweet valentine who brings joy to his heart. The singer acknowledges that the individual's looks may not be perfect or photogenic, yet in his eyes, they are a favorite work of art. Through these lyrics, the singer is conveying the idea that beauty is not only skin-deep, but what's on the inside counts as much as what's on the outside.
The next set of lyrics poses a question, asking if the individual's appearance is less than perfect, indicating a possible insecurity the person might have. The singer then asks whether the person is smart or not to confirm that beauty and intellectual abilities are not mutually exclusive. The repeated line, "don't change a hair for me not if you care for me" reinforces the fact that the singer loves the individual for who they are and would not want them to alter themselves to fit society's beauty standards. Ultimately, the singer wants their valentine to remain with them, and every day is an opportunity to celebrate their love.
Overall, the lyrics of "My Funny Valentine" convey a message that true beauty lies within a person and is not just their external appearance. It's a touching love song about loving someone for who they are, both inside and out.
Line by Line Meaning
My funny valentine
My charming and entertaining partner
Sweet, comic valentine
Affectionate and humorous companion
You make me smile with my heart
You bring a deep sense of joy within me
Your looks are laughable, unphotographable
Your physical appearance cannot be captured by any camera, but it makes me laugh
Yet you're my favorite work of art
Nevertheless, you are still my most cherished and beautiful creation
Is your figure less than Greek?
Is your body not as physically fit as the ideal Greek body type?
Is your mouth a little weak?
Is your way of speaking not as strong or impressive?
When you open it to speak, are you smart?
When you speak, do you display intelligence and wit?
Don't change a hair for me
Please do not alter yourself or your appearance for my sake
Not if you care for me
If you truly love me, you will not change yourself for me
Stay little valentine, stay
Stay with me, my dear valentine
Each day is Valentine's Day
Every day is special and full of love when you are with me
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind