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. .
Known for
The Magistical
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Bear in the Big Blue House LIVE! - Surprise Party
Cyberchase
Chance or Coincidence
Bear in the Big Blue House
Going, Going, Almost Gone! Animals in Danger
Boomerang
Tropical Rainforest
Night of 100 Stars III
Ghost of a Chance
Christmas
Night of 100 Stars II
Alice in Wonderland
All By Myself: The Eartha Kitt Story
Annie
The Gold Bug
Swashbuckler
The Noah
Goggles!
Live and Let Die
Bond 1973: The Lost Documentary
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex *But Were Afraid to Ask
Great Performances
Krakatoa, East of Java
Doctor Dolittle
Androcles and the Lion
Aladdin
Carib Gold