Geoffrey Holder
Acting • Born 1930-08-01 – Died 2014-10-05
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
35 credits
Live and Let Die
Movie • 1973
Baron Samedi
Swashbuckler
Movie • 1976
Cudjo
Going, Going, Almost Gone! Animals in Danger
Movie • 1995
Annie
Movie • 1982
Punjab
Doctor Dolittle
Movie • 1967
William Shakespeare X
Tropical Rainforest
Movie • 1992
Narrator
Goggles!
Movie • 1974
(voice)
Krakatoa, East of Java
Movie • 1969
Sailor
Chance or Coincidence
Movie • 1998
Gerry
The Magistical
Movie • 2008
Narrator
Carmen & Geoffrey
Movie • 2005
Self
Ghost of a Chance
Movie • 1987
Johnson
Alice in Wonderland
Movie • 1983
Cheshire Cat
Bond 1973: The Lost Documentary
Movie • 1973
Self
Night of 100 Stars III
Movie • 1990
Self
Aladdin
Movie • 1958
Genie
Boomerang
Movie • 1992
Nelson
Night of 100 Stars II
Movie • 1985
Self
John Grin's Christmas
Movie • 1986
Ghost of Christmas Future
The Noah
Movie • 1975
Friday
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex *But Were Afraid to Ask
Movie • 1972
Sorcerer
The Gold Bug
Movie • 1980
Jupiter
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Movie • 2005
Narrator (voice)
All by Myself: The Eartha Kitt Story
Movie • 1982
Self
Androcles and the Lion
Movie • 1967
Lion
Carib Gold
Movie • 1956
Voo Doo Dancer
Bear in the Big Blue House LIVE! - Surprise Party
Movie • 2002
Ray
Lights! Camera! Annie! The Making of a Major Hollywood Musical
Movie • 1982
Self / Punjab
The Man Without a Country
Movie • 1973
Slave on Ship
Goosed
Movie • 1999
Dr. Bowman
Bear in the Big Blue House
TV • 1997
Ray the Sun
DuPont Show of the Month
TV • 1957
Genie
Cyberchase
TV • 2002
Master Pi (voice)
Great Performances
TV • 1971
Cheshire Cat
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
TV • 1962
Self