Person
Geoffrey Holder
Port-of-Spain, Trinidad
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. Wi…
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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
Movies and shows, newest first
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2008
The Magistical
Movie Narrator
-
2005
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Movie Narrator (voice)
-
2005
Carmen & Geoffrey
Movie Self
- 2002
-
2002
Cyberchase
TV show Master Pi (voice)
-
1999
Goosed
Movie Dr. Bowman
-
1998
Chance or Coincidence
Movie Gerry
-
1997
Bear in the Big Blue House
TV show Ray the Sun
- 1995
-
1992
Boomerang
Movie Nelson
-
1992
Tropical Rainforest
Movie Narrator
-
1990
Night of 100 Stars III
Movie Self
-
1987
Ghost of a Chance
Movie Johnson
-
1986
John Grin's Christmas
Movie Ghost of Christmas Future
-
1985
Night of 100 Stars II
Movie Self
-
1983
Alice in Wonderland
Movie Cheshire Cat
More credits
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1982
All by Myself: The Eartha Kitt Story
Movie Self
-
1982
Annie
Movie Punjab
-
1982
Lights! Camera! Annie! The Making of a Major Hollywood Musical
Movie Self / Punjab
-
1980
The Gold Bug
Movie Jupiter
-
1976
Swashbuckler
Movie Cudjo
-
1975
The Noah
Movie Friday
-
1974
Goggles!
Movie (voice)
-
1973
Live and Let Die
Movie Baron Samedi
-
1973
Bond 1973: The Lost Documentary
Movie Self
-
1973
The Man Without a Country
Movie Slave on Ship
- 1972
-
1971
Great Performances
TV show Cheshire Cat
-
1969
Krakatoa, East of Java
Movie Sailor
-
1967
Doctor Dolittle
Movie William Shakespeare X
-
1967
Androcles and the Lion
Movie Lion
-
1962
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
TV show Self
-
1958
Aladdin
Movie Genie
-
1957
DuPont Show of the Month
TV show Genie
-
1956
Carib Gold
Movie Voo Doo Dancer
