Arthur French (actor)

Arthur French
Born
Arthur Wellesley French Jr.

(1931-11-06)November 6, 1931
New York City, U.S.
DiedJuly 24, 2021(2021-07-24) (aged 89)
New York City, U.S.
Occupation(s)Actor, director
Years active1960s–2021
SpouseAntoinette Williams[1]
Children2

Arthur Wellesley French Jr.[1] (November 6, 1931 – July 24, 2021) was an American actor and director, best known for his work in the theatre.

Life and career

French was born in Harlem, New York City, on November 6, 1931,[1] the son of Arthur and Ursilla French, who both emigrated to the U.S. from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.[2][3]

Throughout a career that spans over fifty years, French is best known for his work on the stage. He worked extensively with the Negro Ensemble Company (NEC) and has played a wide variety of roles. He was also a supporting character in the 1976 comedy film Car Wash.[citation needed]

His later film credits were in 2 Days in New York and Red Hook Summer, both released in August 2012. He died on July 24, 2021, at the age of 89 in Manhattan, New York.[1]

Selected credits

Theatre

Acting

Year Production Role Theatre(s) Notes
1962 Raisin' Hell in the Son Provincetown Playhouse
1969 Ceremonies in Dark Old Men[4] William Jenkins St. Mark's Playhouse
1971 Black Girl[5] Earl Theatre de Lys
1971 Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death[1] Ethel Barrymore Theatre
1978 Nevis Mountain Dew[6] Ayton Morris St. Mark's Playhouse
1981 The Amen Corner Brother Boxer Crossroads Theater Company
1983 You Can't Take It With You[7] Donald Plymouth Theatre
Royale Theatre
1991 Mule Bone[8] Rev. Singletary
Mayor Joe Clark (understudy) 		Ethel Barrymore Theatre
1995 Henry VI[9] Earl of Salisbury Theater at St. Clements Church
2001 Fire Drill Carl Urban Stages Part of "Free Market," a collection of eight short plays.
Kickin Summit Ski Urban Stages Part of "Free Market," a collection of eight short plays.
Give Us This Day Dad Urban Stages Part of "Free Market," a collection of eight short plays.
The Border Crossers Lounge Mother Perez Urban Stages Part of "Free Market," a collection of eight short plays.
2005 The Master Builder[10] Doctor Herdal Pearl Theatre
2006 Two Trains Running[11] Holloway Peter Norton Space Lucille Lortel Award, Outstanding Featured Actor
2007 Dividing the Estate[12] Doug 59E59 Theater A
2009 Medea The Riverside Theatre
The Book of Lambert La MaMa etc.
Dividing the Estate Doug Hartford Stage

Directing

Year Production Theatre(s) Notes
1967 One Last Look[13] Old Reliable Theatre Tavern One of the first produced plays written by steve carter

Film

Acting

Year Title Role
1976 Car Wash Charlie
1986 'Round Midnight Booker
1992 Malcolm X[1] Pullman Porter
1994 Crooklyn West Indian Store Manager
2012 Where is Joel Baum? Detective Robertson
2013 2 Days in New York Lee Robinson
Movie 43 Old Man
2014 God's Pocket Lucien "Old Lucy" Edwards

Television

Acting

Year Title Role Notes
1986–1987 Another World Al Edwards 2 episodes
2018 New Amsterdam Brent Season 1, Episode 15

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Roberts, Sam (August 5, 2021). "Arthur French, Negro Ensemble Company Pioneer, Dies at 89". The New York Times. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  2. ^ "United States Census, 1940, index and images, Arthur Franch in household of Arthur Franch, Assembly District 22, Manhattan, New York City, New York, New York, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 31-1938, sheet 13A, family 323, NARA digital publication T627, roll 2671". United States: FamilySearch. April 15, 1940. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  3. ^ "U.S. Public Records Index, Volume 2 [database on-line]". Provo, Utah: The Generations Network. 2010. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  4. ^ "Ceremonies in Dark Old Men". New York, New York: Lortel Archives: The Internet Off-Broadway Database. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved November 25, 2009.
  5. ^ "Black Girl". New York, New York: Lortel Archives: The Internet Off-Broadway Database. Archived from the original on October 12, 2007. Retrieved December 4, 2009.
  6. ^ "Nevis Mountain Dew". New York, New York: Lortel Archives: The Internet Off-Broadway Database. Archived from the original on September 13, 2007. Retrieved November 25, 2009.
  7. ^ "You Can't Take It With You". New York, New York: Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved December 4, 2009.
  8. ^ "Mule Bone". New York, New York: Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved December 4, 2009.
  9. ^ "Henry VI". New York, New York: Lortel Archives:The Internet off-Broadway Database. Archived from the original on October 7, 2012. Retrieved December 5, 2009.
  10. ^ "The Master Builder". New York, New York: Lortel Archives:The Internet off-Broadway Database. Archived from the original on September 11, 2007. Retrieved December 5, 2009.
  11. ^ "Two Trains Running". United States: Lortel Archives:The Internet off-Broadway Database. Archived from the original on October 19, 2007. Retrieved December 4, 2009.
  12. ^ "Dividing the Estate". United States: Lortel Archives:The Internet off-Broadway Database. Archived from the original on September 8, 2007. Retrieved December 5, 2009.
  13. ^ Carter, Steve (1986). Plays by Steve Carter (First ed.). New York, New York: Broadway Play Publishing, Inc. pp. 81–104. ISBN 0-88145-043-X.


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