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Paul Harris (September 15, 1917 – August 25, 1985) was an American actor with a commanding presence. He had roles in films such as '' All Night Long'', ''
Across 110th Street ''Across 110th Street'' is a 1972 American action-crime film directed by Barry Shear and starring Yaphet Kotto, Anthony Quinn, Anthony Franciosa and Paul Benjamin. The film is set in Harlem, New York and takes its name from 110th Street, the tr ...
'', '' The Slams '', ''
Truck Turner ''Truck Turner'', also known as ''Black Bullet'', is a 1974 blaxploitation film, starring Isaac Hayes and Yaphet Kotto, and directed by Jonathan Kaplan. The screenplay was written by Michael Allin, Leigh Chapman (under a pseudonym, Jerry Wilke ...
'' and '' Baby Needs a New Pair of Shoes'' aka ''Jive Turkey''.


Background

Harris was born and raised in
Pasadena, California Pasadena ( ) is a city in Los Angeles County, California, northeast of downtown Los Angeles. It is the most populous city and the primary cultural center of the San Gabriel Valley. Old Pasadena is the city's original commercial district. I ...
. At the age of sixteen, he became tremendously interested in entertainment and the theatrical world. Paul decided to study professionally at the Hebert Wall School of Music and The Actors Laboratory, both in Hollywood. He was chosen over many fine actors to study and appear in plays at the Pasadena Community Playhouse. Paul Harris became one of the first known Black Actors and singers, appearing with such renowned organizations as the “George Garner Community Sing Association”, “The DePaur Infantry Chorus”, which took him to New York where he studied at the American Theatre Wing. Paul traveled the U.S. with the touring company of the Broadway hit “SHOWBOAT” for over a year. He also traveled the world with George Gershwin's company of “PORGY & BESS” which was supported by the United States and sponsored by the State Department. This exposure propelled him to become involved in theatrical enterprises in such European countries as England, Italy, France, and Germany. Harris at one time was engaged to Danish model Maud Berthelsen, who later became an actress. She was nominated for best supporting actress in the film ''Epilogue''. Harris died of cancer in Los Angeles, California, on the 25th of August, 1985. He is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills.


Career


Stage

Harris was a singer, stage, film and television actor. He had appeared on Broadway and had been part of international theater tours. In 1949, he played the part of the doorman in the musical comedy ''
Show Boat ''Show Boat'' is a musical with music by Jerome Kern and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. It is based on Edna Ferber's best-selling 1926 novel of the same name. The musical follows the lives of the performers, stagehands and dock worke ...
'' which was playing at Los Angeles's Greek Theater. The following month he was in the musical ''Annie, Get Your Gun'' as Major Domo.


Film and television

In the late 1950s, looking for work, he left the United States for Europe. He came to Paris with the cast of ''Free and Easy''. In England he secured a starring role in the 1962 film ''All Night Long''. In it he played the part of piano player Aurelius Rex in an
Othello ''Othello'' (full title: ''The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice'') is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare, probably in 1603, set in the contemporary Ottoman–Venetian War (1570–1573) fought for the control of the Island of Cypru ...
-like role who becomes victim of the devious and sinister motivated actions by his drummer Johnny Cousin, played by
Patrick McGoohan Patrick Joseph McGoohan (; March 19, 1928 – January 13, 2009) was an Irish-American actor, director, screenwriter, and producer of film and television. Born in the United States to Irish emigrant parents, he was raised in Ireland and Engla ...
. He is almost driven into an act of violence against his partner, singer Delia, played by Marti Stevens. In 1966, he had a part in an episode of '' The Baron'' which starred Steve Forrest, episode: ''There's Someone Close Behind You'' as Wayne. In 1974, he had a role in the film ''Truck Turner'' that starred
Isaac Hayes Isaac Lee Hayes Jr. (August 20, 1942 – August 10, 2008) was an American singer, actor, songwriter, and composer. He was one of the creative forces behind the Southern soul music label Stax Records, where he served both as an in-house songwri ...
. He played the part of a mean and ruthless pimp, Gator Johnson. In 1974, Harris got a leading role as Pasha in the low-budget film ''Jive Turkey'' aka ''Baby Needs a New Pair of Shoes''. The film also starred
Frank deKova Frank de Kova (March 17, 1910 – October 15, 1981) was an American character actor in films, stage, and TV. Biography De Kova was born in New York City. He was a teacher at a school in New York before joining a Shakespeare repertory group. He ...
.''Screen World'', Volume 2
Page 151
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Stage and musical appearances


Filmography


References


External links

*
''Free And Easy'' review
{{DEFAULTSORT:Harris, Paul 1917 births 1985 deaths American male actors African-American male actors 20th-century American male actors Male actors from Los Angeles 20th-century African-American people