Geoffrey Holder
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. .
Acting
Movie
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
as Narrator (voice)
2005
Movie
Live and Let Die
as Baron Samedi
1973
Movie
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex *But Were Afraid to Ask
as Sorcerer
1972
Movie
Annie
as Punjab
1982
Movie
Boomerang
as Nelson
1992
Movie
Doctor Dolittle
as William Shakespeare X
1967
TV
Bear in the Big Blue House
as Ray the Sun
1997
TV
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
as Self
1962
Movie
Krakatoa, East of Java
as Sailor
1969
Movie
Swashbuckler
as Cudjo
1976
TV
Cyberchase
as Master Pi (voice)
2002
TV
Great Performances
as Cheshire Cat
1971
Movie
Chance or Coincidence
as Gerry
1998
Movie
The Noah
as Friday
1975
Movie
Tropical Rainforest
as Narrator
1992
Movie
Goosed
as Dr. Bowman
1999
Movie
Alice in Wonderland
as Cheshire Cat
1983
Movie
Ghost of a Chance
as Johnson
1987
TV
DuPont Show of the Month
as Genie
1957
Movie
Night of 100 Stars II
as Self
1985
Movie
Going, Going, Almost Gone! Animals in Danger
1995
Movie
The Gold Bug
as Jupiter
1980
Movie
Bond 1973: The Lost Documentary
as Self
1973
Movie
Night of 100 Stars III
as Self
1990