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Personal Info

Gender

Male

Birthday

1930-08-01 (94 years old)

Place of Birth

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad

Geoffrey Holder

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

Acting

2008

The Magistical as Narrator

2005

2002

1999

Goosed as Dr. Bowman

1998

1997

1995

1992

Boomerang as Nelson

1990

1987

1986

Christmas as Ghost of Christmas Future

1985

1983

Alice in Wonderland as Cheshire Cat

1982

1980

The Gold Bug as Jupiter

1976

Swashbuckler as Cudjo

1975

The Noah as Friday

1974

Goggles! as (voice)

1973

1972

1971

Great Performances as Cheshire Cat

1968

1967

Doctor Dolittle as William Shakespeare X

1962

1958

Aladdin as Genie

1957

1956

Carib Gold as Voo Doo Dancer

Crew

1973

Live and Let Die as Choreographer