Lucas Delgado
Chicken George was a nickname for several notable figures. The most well-known Chicken George was a character in the novel and TV series Roots: The Saga of an American Family. He was born into slavery in 1806 and became a successful cockfighter. There was also a musician named Jeffrey Henry, known as DJ Chicken George, who died at the age of 50 in 2024. In addition, several real-life individuals have been nicknamed Chicken George, including a contestant on Big Brother, a footballer, and a soccer coach.
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What You'll Learn
- Jeffrey Henry, the DJ also known as Chicken George, died at 50
- Chicken George was a nickname for George Allen Boswell, a 'Big Brother' contestant
- Chicken George was a character in 'Roots', played by Ben Vereen
- Chicken George was born in 1806, but his death age is unclear
- Chicken George was a slave, and a cockfighting champion
Jeffrey Henry, the DJ also known as Chicken George, died at 50
Jeffrey Henry, known to many as DJ Chicken George, passed away at the age of 50 on May 10, 2024. The iconic Austin musician and DJ died following a two-year battle with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, a rare form of cancer.
Henry, an eclectic and soulful musician, elevated DJ performance to artistry. His signature sound blended influences from soul, funk, house, jazz, and electronica—a style he coined "jazztronica." His performances in Austin's Warehouse District and at venues like Red Fez and Malverde became legendary, with his professional branding, a stylized "CG" resembling the Gucci logo, becoming instantly recognizable.
Henry's musical journey began in high school when he and his brother formed the hip-hop group Bass Tribe with Marco Cervantes (Mexstep). Jeff took on the role of DJ, setting the stage for his future career. Shortly after high school, he began performing as DJ Chicken George, adopting the moniker from the Ben Vereen character in the television adaptation of Alex Haley's "Roots."
Beyond his solo artistry, Henry collaborated with the label Austin Boogie Crew, producing and distributing more than a dozen albums. He also worked with artists like Brownout, the Latin funk spinoff of the Grammy-winning Grupo Fantasma. Henry's impact extended beyond the music itself. His signature logo and branding, created in collaboration with Rae and Stephen Donovan, became a symbol of the creative, collaborative, and inclusive ethos he embodied.
The Austin music community and beyond mourn the loss of DJ Chicken George, a powerful force of kindness and collaboration whose talent, passion, and unique style continue to inspire and influence others.
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Chicken George was a nickname for George Allen Boswell, a 'Big Brother' contestant
Chicken George was the nickname of George Allen Boswell, a contestant on the first and seventh seasons of the reality TV show Big Brother. George was a kind and genuine person, and his time on the show changed his life, allowing him to pursue a career in television. He has stated that he owes his success to Big Brother and that he plans to have "Chicken George" inscribed on his tombstone.
Chicken George was also the name of a character in the novel Roots by Alex Haley and its television adaptation. In the story, George is the son of Kizzy and her master, Tom Lea, and is born into slavery in North Carolina in the winter of 1806. He is named "George" after his mother's master's first slave, George. At age 12, he is moved out of his mother's cabin to live at the gamecock pen, where he learns to train fighting cocks. He becomes a successful cockfighter and travels across the southern states of America with Tom Lea, winning most of his matches. Due to his flamboyant personality and cock-fighting skills, he earns the nickname "Chicken George."
In the story, Chicken George marries a strong Christian woman named Matilda, with whom he has eight children. After the Civil War and the end of slavery in 1865, Chicken George reunites his family and settles in Henning, Tennessee, where they found the New Hope Church. Matilda passes away in 1883 following an argument between her son, Tom, and her daughter, Elizabeth.
In addition to the Big Brother contestant and the Roots character, "Chicken George" has also been used as a nickname for several other individuals, including a footballer, a soccer coach, and a series of costumed men who shadowed George H.W. Bush during the 1992 U.S. presidential election.
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Chicken George was a character in 'Roots', played by Ben Vereen
Chicken George was a character in Roots, played by Ben Vereen in the 1977 television miniseries. The character was also portrayed by Ave Long in Roots: The Next Generation in 1979 and by British newcomer Rege-Jean Page in the remake.
Chicken George, born in the winter of 1806 in Caswell, North Carolina, was the son of Kizzy, a slave, and her master, Tom Lea. He earned the nickname "Chicken George" due to his flamboyant personality and exceptional cockfighting skills. He became a successful cockfighter, travelling across the southern states of America with Tom Lea and winning most of his matches.
In the story, Chicken George was in his mid-thirties when he discovered that his master, Moore, was also his father. This revelation occurred when Chicken George was about to kill Master Moore, and his mother, Kizzy, intervened.
Chicken George's story also involves his relationship with his wife, Matilda, a Christian slave woman. Together, they had eight children, including Tom and Lewis Murray. After the Civil War and the end of slavery in 1865, Chicken George reunited his family and settled in Tennessee, starting a new life together.
It is important to note that the real Chicken George, whose birth name was George Lea, existed outside of the Roots narrative. The character portrayed by Ben Vereen was based on this historical figure, who was born into slavery and faced similar challenges during that time period.
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![Roots: The Complete Original Series (BD) [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91nmElTFcFL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![Roots - The Complete Collection (Roots / Roots - The Next Generations) [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81gsf1cTc4L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Chicken George was born in 1806, but his death age is unclear
Chicken George, born in the winter of 1806 in Caswell, North Carolina, was the son of Kizzy, a slave, and Tom Lea, her master. George's mother Kizzy was repeatedly raped by her master after her arrival on the Lea Plantation from Virginia. Although George was born into slavery, he was named "George" by his master and father, Tom Lea, who named him after his first slave, who also bore the name George.
At the age of 12, George was moved out of his mother's cabin to live at the gamecock pen where Uncle Mingo lived and trained fighting roosters for Tom Lea. Around the age of 14 or 15, George started to travel with Moore and Mingo, winning his first cockfight. By the time he was 18, Tom Lea promoted George as the new head trainer for cockfighting, recognising his potential to bring him wealth and fame.
George earned the nickname "Chicken George" for his flamboyant personality and his exceptional cockfighting skills. He was a ladies' man but eventually settled down with Matilda, a devoutly religious slave woman. Despite his marriage, George continued to drink and spend time with other women. He and Matilda had eight children, including Tom and Lewis Murray.
After the Civil War and the end of slavery in 1865, Chicken George reunited his family and moved to Henning, Tennessee, where they founded the New Hope Church. It is unclear when Chicken George died, but his wife Matilda passed away in 1883.
The name "Chicken George" has also been associated with several other individuals, including a contestant on the reality TV show Big Brother, a footballer, and a coach.
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Chicken George was a slave, and a cockfighting champion
Chicken George, born in the winter of 1806, was a slave on the Lea Plantation in Caswell, North Carolina. He was born to Kizzy, a slave, and her master, Tom Lea, who named him "George" after his first slave. When George was 12 years old, he was moved out of his mother's cabin to live at the gamecock pen with Uncle Mingo, who trained fighting roosters for the master.
George took a liking to cockfighting and began travelling with Moore and Mingo, winning his first cockfight at the age of 14 or 15. By the time he was 18, he had become an expert at cockfighting, and Lea promoted him as the new head trainer for cockfighting, recognising his potential to bring wealth and fame. George's trademark was a black derby hat with rooster feathers and a green scarf. His flamboyant personality and cockfighting skills earned him the nickname "Chicken George".
Chicken George's owner, Tom Lea, was also his biological father, a fact that complicated their relationship. Despite being a slave, George was treated differently by Lea, who considered him a friend. However, this friendship did not protect George from the realities of slavery. When George was accused of knowing about a rebellion led by a slave named Nat Turner, Lea threatened his family, reminding George that he was still a slave, vulnerable and expendable.
After the Civil War and the end of slavery in 1865, Chicken George reunited his family and they moved to Henning, Tennessee, where they founded the New Hope Church. Chicken George's story is one of resilience, survival, and the pursuit of freedom within the confines of slavery.
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Frequently asked questions
I found two people named Chicken George who have passed away. Jeffrey Henry, an Austin-based musician who performed as DJ Chicken George, died at 50 years old. The other Chicken George was a character in the book and TV series Roots, who died at an unknown age.
Chicken George, born George Lea, was born in the winter of 1806 in Caswell, North Carolina.
Ben Vereen played Chicken George in the television adaptation of Roots.
After the Civil War and the end of slavery in 1865, Chicken George reunited his family and they moved to Henning, Tennessee, where they founded the New Hope Church.
Chicken George's wife was Matilda, a devoutly religious Christian slave woman who once preached the gospel to freed blacks. They had eight children together.
Chicken George's mother, Kizzy, passed away before he returned to the plantation after the Civil War.
