Geoffrey Holder
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- August 1, 1930
- Died
- October 5, 2014 (aged 84)
- Birthplace
- Port-of-Spain, Trinidad
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. .
Known For
Photos
Filmography
The Magistical
Movie · as Narrator
Carmen & Geoffrey
Movie · as Self
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Bear in the Big Blue House LIVE! - Surprise Party
Movie · as Ray
Cyberchase
TV · as Master Pi (voice) · 1 ep
Goosed
Movie · as Dr. Bowman
Chance or Coincidence
Movie · as Gerry
Bear in the Big Blue House
TV · as Ray the Sun · 117 eps
Going, Going, Almost Gone! Animals in Danger
Movie
Tropical Rainforest
Movie · as Narrator
Boomerang
Movie · as Nelson
Night of 100 Stars III
Movie · as Self
Ghost of a Chance
Movie · as Johnson
John Grin's Christmas
Movie · as Ghost of Christmas Future
Night of 100 Stars II
Movie · as Self
Alice in Wonderland
Movie · as Cheshire Cat
Annie
Movie · as Punjab
All by Myself: The Eartha Kitt Story
Movie · as Self
Lights! Camera! Annie! The Making of a Major Hollywood Musical
Movie · as Self / Punjab
The Gold Bug
Movie · as Jupiter
Swashbuckler
Movie · as Cudjo
The Noah
Movie · as Friday
Goggles!
Movie · as (voice)
Live and Let Die
Movie · as Baron Samedi
Bond 1973: The Lost Documentary
Movie · as Self
The Man Without a Country
Movie · as Slave on Ship
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex *But Were Afraid to Ask
Movie · as Sorcerer
Great Performances
TV · as Cheshire Cat · 1 ep
Krakatoa, East of Java
Movie · as Sailor
Doctor Dolittle
Movie · as William Shakespeare X
Androcles and the Lion
Movie · as Lion
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
TV · as Self · 2 eps
Aladdin
Movie · as Genie
DuPont Show of the Month
TV · as Genie · 1 ep
Carib Gold
Movie · as Voo Doo Dancer