Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Birthdate
1930-08-01
Day of Death
2014-10-05
Place of Birth
Port-of-Spain, Trinidad
Geoffrey Holder
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 (30)
The Magistical
2008
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
2005Carmen & Geoffrey
2005
Bear in the Big Blue House LIVE! - Surprise Party
2002
Goosed
1999
Chance or Coincidence
1998
Going, Going, Almost Gone! Animals in Danger
1995
Boomerang
1992
Tropical Rainforest
1992
Night of 100 Stars III
1990
Ghost of a Chance
1987
John Grin's Christmas
1986
Night of 100 Stars II
1985
Alice in Wonderland
1983
