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