Geoffrey Holder
Born: 1930-08-01 in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad
Died: 2014-10-05
Known For: Acting
Biography
Born in Port of Spain, Trinidad of African descent, Holder was an actor known for his towering 200-centimeter (6'6") height, heavily accented deep basso voice and hearty laugh. With that and his appearance in the 1970s 7 Up soft drink "uncola" advertising campaign, Holder's image quickly became recognizable. He was also in the 1967 movie Dr. Dolittle as William Shakespeare, "Willy," and played Baron Samedi, one of the main villain's henchmen, in the 1973 James Bond film, Live and Let Die. Though the 7 Up advertising campaign lasted only a short while in the early 1970s, the company revived the campaign in the early 1980s after Holder achieved a spike in popularity in the 1982 movie version of the musical Annie, in which he played the role of Punjab. He was a prolific painter, ardent art collector, and performer who had also authored books and composed music. As a choreographer, he created dance pieces for many companies, including the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and The Dance Theatre of Harlem. Holder was married to dancer Carmen De Lavallade, whom he met when both were in the cast of Truman Capote's House of Flowers. .
Filmography
2008
- The Magistical as Narrator
2005
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as Narrator (voice)
- Carmen & Geoffrey as Self
2002
- Cyberchase as Master Pi (voice)
- Bear in the Big Blue House LIVE! - Surprise Party as Ray
1999
- Goosed as Dr. Bowman
1998
- Chance or Coincidence as Gerry
1997
- Bear in the Big Blue House as Ray the Sun
1992
- Boomerang as Nelson
- Tropical Rainforest as Narrator
1990
- Night of 100 Stars III as Self
1987
- Ghost of a Chance as Johnson
1986
- John Grin's Christmas as Ghost of Christmas Future
1985
- Night of 100 Stars II as Self
1983
- Alice in Wonderland as Cheshire Cat
1982
- Annie as Punjab
- Lights! Camera! Annie! The Making of a Major Hollywood Musical as Self / Punjab
- All By Myself: The Eartha Kitt Story as Self
1980
- The Gold Bug as Jupiter
1976
- Swashbuckler as Cudjo
1975
- The Noah as Friday
1974
- Goggles! as (voice)
1973
- Live and Let Die as Baron Samedi
- The Man Without a Country as Slave on Ship
- Bond 1973: The Lost Documentary as Self
1971
- Great Performances as Cheshire Cat
1968
- Krakatoa, East of Java as Sailor
1967
- Doctor Dolittle as William Shakespeare X
- Androcles and the Lion as Lion
1962
1958
- Aladdin as Genie
1957
- DuPont Show of the Month as Genie
1956
- Carib Gold as Voo Doo Dancer