Adolph Caesar

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Adolph Caesar
AdolphCaesar.jpg
Born(1933-12-05)December 5, 1933
Harlem, New York City, U.S.
DiedMarch 6, 1986(1986-03-06) (aged 52)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
EducationNew York University
Occupation
  • Actor
  • theatre director
  • dancer
  • choreographer
Years active1969–1986
Spouse(s)Diane (1986†)
Children3
Military career
Allegiance United States
Service/branchFlag of the United States Navy.svg United States Navy
Years of service1952–1957[1]
RankBMC GC.svg Chief Petty Officer
Battles/warsKorean War

Adolph Caesar (December 5, 1933 – March 6, 1986) was an American actor, theatre director, dancer, and choreographer. He was nominated for an Oscar and a Golden Globe for his supporting role in A Soldier's Story (1984). He appeared with his oldest daughter, Tiffani, in the Tales from the Darkside episode, "Parlor Floor Front" (1985).

Biography[]

Caesar was born in Harlem, as the youngest of three sons born to a Dominican mother.[2] He attended George Washington High School in New York City.[3] Following his graduation in 1952, Caesar enlisted in the Navy during the Korean War[4] and served as a hospital corpsman for five years,[1] achieving the rank of chief petty officer.[3]

Career[]

Caesar appeared in Norman Jewison's film A Soldier's Story, for which he received a nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role from both the Academy Awards and the Golden Globe Awards. He also played the role of Old Mister in the Steven Spielberg film The Color Purple and appeared in Fist of Fear, Touch of Death.

In addition to his film career, Caesar did voiceover work for television and radio commercials, including theatrical previews and radio commercials for many blaxploitation films such as Cleopatra Jones, Superfly, Truck Turner and The Spook Who Sat by the Door. Caesar also lent his voice to Silverhawks, in which he voiced Hotwing.[citation needed]

Death[]

Caesar's last completed film was Club Paradise, released posthumously. Caesar was working on the Los Angeles set of the 1986 film Tough Guys (with Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas) when he suffered a heart attack and died a short time later.[1] He was interred in the Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York.

Filmography[]

Year Film Role Notes
1969 Che! Juan Almeida
1972 Blacula Narrator of Theatrical Trailer Voice, Uncredited
1972 Hammer Narrator of Theatrical Trailer Voice, Uncredited
1973 Scream Blacula Scream Narrator of Theatrical Trailer Voice, Uncredited
1974 Sister Street Fighter Narrator of Theatrical Trailer Voice, Uncredited
1975 Tarzoon: Shame of the Jungle Brutish English version, Voice
1976 Karate Kiba Narrator of Theatrical Trailer Voice, Uncredited
1976 J. D.'s Revenge Narrator of Theatrical Trailer Voice, Uncredited
1978 Dawn of the Dead Narrator of Theatrical Trailer Voice, Uncredited
1979 The Hitter Nathan
1980 Fist of Fear, Touch of Death TV Anchorman
1984 A Soldier's Story Sergeant Waters NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor
Nominated—Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor
Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture
1985 The Color Purple Old Mister Johnson
1985 Tales from the Darkside Mars Gillis "Parlor Floor Front" episode
1986 Club Paradise Solomon Gundy

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c Adolph Caesar: Fatal Heart Attack Fells Actor on Set Robert W. Stewart (March 7, 1986), Los Angeles Times via Internet Archive. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  2. ^ "United States Census, 1940". FamilySearch.org. Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b Tue, 12.05.1933 – Adolph Caesar, Actor born African American Registry. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  4. ^ ADOLPH CAESAR DIES; ACTED IN 'SOLDIER'S STORY' The New York Times via Internet Archive. Retrieved September 5, 2021.

External links[]

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