American actor (1923–2004)
Julius W. Harris (August 17, 1923 – October 17, 2004) was an American actor who appeared in more than 70 movies and numerous television series in a career that spanned four decades. Harris is best known for his roles in 1970s films such as Live and Let Die blaxploitation films Super Fly Black Caesar Hell Up in Harlem [ 2] [ 3] [ 4]
Early life and career
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to a father who was a musician and a mother who had been employed by the Cotton Club in New York City as a dancer, Harris worked as a nurse , and a bouncer in New York City jazz clubs. Before he began his acting career, Harris served as a medic in the United States Army during World War II . After hanging out with many struggling actors, he took a dare and auditioned for his first role and was cast as the father in Nothing But a Man Ivan Dixon and Abbey Lincoln .[ 5]
Some of his most prominent roles included the villainous, steel-armed Tee Hee in the James Bond film Live and Let Die [ 6] Super Fly Let's Do It Again Shaft's Big Score The Taking of Pelham One Two Three Islands in the Stream Idi Amin in the TV movie Victory at Entebbe [ 5] [ 7]
He also appeared in Trouble Man King Kong Black Caesar Hell Up in Harlem Friday Foster Shrunken Heads Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man Sanford and Son Good Times Love Boat Negro Ensemble Company in New York City and appeared on Broadway in the Pulitzer Prize -winning play, No Place to Be Somebody [ 5]
Death
Harris died from heart failure on October 17, 2004, while admitted at the Motion Picture and Television Hospital . He was 81.[ 8] [ 5] [ 7]
Filmography
References
^ Blaxploitation Films, By Mikel J. Koven .Retrieved March 17, 2020.^ McLellan, Dennis. "Julius Harris, 81; Broke Stereotypes of Movie Roles for Black Actors ." Los Angeles, California: The Los Angeles Times , October 22, 2004, p. B11 (subscription required).
^ "Julius Harris: Stage, screen actor ." Phoenix, Arizona: The Arizona Republic , October 23, 2004, p. B9 (subscription required).
^ "Film actor of 4 decades ." Miami, Florida: The Miami Herald , October 23, 2004, p. 4B (subscription required).
^ a b c d McLellan, Dennis. "Julius Harris, 81; Broke Stereotypes of Movie Roles for Black Actors," The Los Angeles Times , October 22, 2004, p. B11.
^ "Tee Hee (Julius W Harris) - James Bond Villains" . Retrieved 27 August 2016 .^ a b "Julius Harris: Stage, screen actor," The Arizona Republic , October 23, 2004, p. B9.
^ Heffernan, Virginia (2004-10-23). "Julius Harris, 81, Pioneering Black Actor, Dies" . The New York Times . Retrieved 2008-02-13 .
External links
International National People
