He appeared on the television shows Sanford and Son, That's My Mama, Blossom, and Cybill and in the films Mr. Saturday Night and Amazon Women on the Moon.

[2] He began his career as a dancer and did not turn to comedy until 1940 when he joined with a fellow hoofer in the "Two Zephyrs" to replace one of its members who had previously passed away.

[5] The "Two Zephyrs" made the circuits together for over four years appearing with such notables as Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and many others.

[6] With his team "Slappy" was first introduced to Californians, making his West Coast debut in Los Angeles at the Orpheum Theatre along with Louis Armstrong.

[6] "Lewis and White" traveled together for several years and appeared with such greats as Johnny Otis, The Ink Spots, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Lionel Hampton.

[7][8] Bailey's career was on the rise; she was performing in the better nightclubs with people like Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway while White was still struggling in lesser venues.

[9] "Slappy's" solo career started in 1951 when Dinah Washington requested him to introduce her act at the Black Hawk in San Francisco.

White performed the routine many times during the civil rights movement in America, and President John F. Kennedy once gave it a personal commendation.

[3][19][20] In 1986 Milton Berle planned to introduce a new situation comedy called Moscow & Vine, with White as his co-star on the show.

[21] White was best known in later years for the Friars' Club roasts, where he routinely appeared along with other comedians, including Milton Berle, Jackie Vernon, Pat Buttram and Dick Shawn.

White died of a heart attack at his home in Brigantine, New Jersey, just 38 days after the death of his long-time friend George Kirby.