Robert Guillaume
Robert Guillaume (born Robert Peter Williams; November 30, 1927 – October 24, 2017) was an American actor and singer, known for his role as Benson DuBois in the ABC television series Soap and its spin-off, Benson,[1] as well as for voicing the mandrill Rafiki in The Lion King and related media thereof. In a career that spanned more than 50 years he worked extensively on stage, television and film. For his efforts he was nominated for a Tony Award for his portrayal of Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls, and twice won an Emmy Award for his portrayal of the character Benson DuBois, once in 1979 on Soap and in 1985 on Benson. He also won a Grammy Award in 1995 for his spoken word performance of an audiobook version of The Lion King. He is also known for his role as playing Eli Vance in the video game Half-Life 2.
Robert Guillaume | |
|---|---|
Guillaume at the premiere of Seems Like Old Times in 1980 | |
| Born | Robert Peter Williams November 30, 1927 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | October 24, 2017 (aged 89) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Washington University in St. Louis |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1959–2014 |
| Spouses |
|
| Children | 5 |
Early life
Guillaume was born Robert Peter Williams in St. Louis[2] to an alcoholic mother.[citation needed] After she abandoned him and several siblings, they were raised by their grandmother, Jeannette Williams.[3] He studied at Saint Louis University and Washington University in St. Louis and served in the United States Army before pursuing an acting career.[4] He adopted the surname Guillaume (French for William) as his stage name.
Career
Stage
After leaving university, Guillaume joined the Karamu Players in Cleveland and performed in musical comedies and opera.[citation needed] He toured the world in 1959 as a cast member of the Broadway musical Free and Easy.[5] He made his Broadway debut in Kwamina in 1961.[6] His other stage appearances included Golden Boy (with Sammy Davis Jr.),[7] Tambourines to Glory, Guys and Dolls, for which he received a Tony Award nomination,[8] Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, and Purlie![citation needed] His additional roles included Katherine Dunham's Bambouche and in Fly The Blackbird.[4]
In 1964, he portrayed Sportin' Life in a revival of Porgy and Bess at New York City Center.[2] Guillaume was a member of the Robert de Cormier Singers, performing in concerts and on television.[3] He recorded an LP album, Columbia CS9033, titled Just Arrived as a member of The Pilgrims, a folk trio, with Angeline Butler and Millard Williams.[5] Columbia records producer, Tom Wilson, had set out to create the Pilgrims as an answer to the popular folk trio, Peter, Paul and Mary. By early 1964, the Pilgrims had recorded a handful of songs and Wilson was looking for the right song for the group's debut single when then unknown singer/songwriter named Paul Simon arrived for a meeting with Wilson and eventually pitched his new composition, "The Sound of Silence". Wilson liked the song, had Simon record a demo for the group, but when Simon and his friend, Art Garfunkel, sang the song for Wilson in person, he signed them to a record contract instead of using it for The Pilgrims.[9]
In 1990, Guillaume was cast in the Los Angeles production of The Phantom of the Opera, replacing Michael Crawford in the title role.[6] Guillaume was the first Black actor to portray the character.[10]
Television
Guillaume made several guest appearances on sitcoms, including Good Times, The Jeffersons, Sanford and Son, Saved By The Bell: The College Years and in the 1990s sitcoms The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and A Different World.[6] Guillaume also played Dr. Franklin in season 6, episode 6 ("Chain Letter") of the series All in the Family, in which he coyly referenced Marcus Welby, M.D., a TV series in which he had guest-starred in 1970.[11]
His series-regular debut was on the ABC series Soap, playing Benson, a butler, from 1977 to 1979.[12] Guillaume continued the role in a spin-off series, Benson, which ran for 158 episodes from 1979 until 1986.[2]
In 1985, Guillaume appeared in the television mini-series North and South as abolitionist leader Frederick Douglass, who escaped from slavery and became a leader of the anti-slavery movement prior to the American Civil War.[3]
He also appeared as marriage counselor Edward Sawyer on The Robert Guillaume Show (1989), Detective Bob Ballard on Pacific Station (1991–1992), and television executive Isaac Jaffe on Aaron Sorkin's short-lived but critically acclaimed Sports Night (1998–2000).[2] Guillaume suffered a mild stroke on January 14, 1999, while filming an episode of the latter series.[1] He recovered and his character was later also depicted as having had a stroke. He also made a guest appearance on 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter.[12] He made one of his final TV appearances during season 5 on Oprah: Where Are They Now?
His voice was employed for characters in television series Captain Planet and the Planeteers, Fish Police, and Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child.[4] He was known for the voice of Rafiki in the movie The Lion King and its sequels and spin-offs.[13] He lent his deep tenor voice as Mr. Thicknose in The Land Before Time VIII: The Big Freeze.[14] He also supplied the voice for Eli Vance in the 2004 video game Half-Life 2 and its immediate episodic sequels.[15]
Personal life
Guillaume was married twice; first to Marlene Williams in 1955, with whom he had two sons, Kevin and Jacques. Despite Guillaume choosing to follow his career early in the marriage, they did not divorce until 1984.[3] He had a daughter in 1980, Melissa, whom he raised with her mother, Patricia. He then married Donna Brown in 1986; the couple had a daughter, Rachel.[6] He fathered but did not raise another daughter, Patricia, by a different mother; she was born in 1950 and was raised by her grandparents.[3] His son Jacques died on December 23, 1990, at the age of 32, of complications of AIDS.[citation needed]
In 1999, Guillaume suffered a stroke while working on Sports Night at Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California.[5] The stroke was minor, causing relatively slight damage and little effect on his speech.[2] After six weeks in the hospital, he underwent a therapy of walks and gym sessions.[5]
Death
Guillaume died of prostate cancer on October 24, 2017, at his home in Los Angeles, California.[12]
Honors
Guillaume has a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame.[16] On November 28, 1984, Guillaume received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work in the television industry.[17][18]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Super Fly T.N.T. | Jordan Gaines | |
| 1980 | Seems Like Old Times | Fred | |
| 1984 | Prince Jack | Martin Luther King, Jr. | |
| 1986 | Wanted: Dead or Alive | Philmore Walker | |
| 1987 | They Still Call Me Bruce | V.A. Officer | |
| 1989 | Lean on Me | Dr. Frank Napier | |
| 1990 | Death Warrant | Hawkins | |
| 1993 | The Meteor Man | Ted Reed — Jeff's Father | |
| 1994 | The Lion King | Rafiki | Voice Role |
| 1996 | Spy Hard | Agent Steve Bishop | |
| 1996 | First Kid | Wilkes | |
| 1998 | The Easter Story Keepers | Ben (Voice Role) | Direct-to-Video |
| 1998 | The Lion King II: Simba's Pride | Rafiki (Voice Role) | Direct-to-Video |
| 1999 | Silicon Towers | Detective Green | |
| 2001 | The Land Before Time VIII: The Big Freeze | Mr. Thicknose (Voice Role) | Direct-to-Video |
| 2002 | The Adventures of Tom Thumb & Thumbelina | Ben (Voice Role) | Direct-to-Video |
| 2002 | 13th Child | Riley | |
| 2003 | The Lion King Read-Along | Rafiki (Voice Role) | Direct-to-Video |
| 2003 | Big Fish | Dr. Bennett (senior) | |
| 2004 | The Lion King 3: Hakuna Matata | Rafiki (Voice Role) | Direct-to-Video |
| 2008 | The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry | Mr. Barnes | |
| 2011 | Satin | Doc Bishop | |
| 2012 | Columbus Circle | Howard Miles | |
| 2013 | Off the Beach | Dr. Black | Short Film |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Porgy in Wien | unknown role | TV Movie |
| 1969 | Julia | Robert Barron | "The Wheel Deal" |
| 1970 | Marcus Welby, M.D. | Aaron Carothers | "The Soft Phrase of Peace" |
| 1975 | Sanford and Son | Albert Brock | "Steinberg and Son" |
| 1975 | All in the Family | Dr. Franklin | "Chain Letter" |
| 1975 | The Jeffersons | Charles Thompson | "George Won't Talk" |
| 1977 | Good Times | Theodopius P. Johnson | "Requiem for a Wino" |
| 1977–1980 | Soap | Benson DuBois | Recurring Role (50 episodes) |
| 1978 | Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Jack Klugman | Himself | TV Special |
| 1978 | Hollywood Squares | Himself (Panelist) | "12.18.1978" |
| 1978–1979 | The Mike Douglas Show | Himself (Guest / Co-Host) | 9 episodes |
| 1979 | The Kid from Left Field | Larry Cooper | TV Movie |
| 1979 | Dinah! | Himself (Guest) | "05.01.1979" |
| 1979 | 2nd Annual Black Achievement Awards | Himself (Host) | TV Special |
| 1979–1983 | All-Star Family Feud Special | Himself (Celebrity Contestant) | 3 episodes |
| 1979–1986 | Benson | Benson DuBois | series regular (159 episodes) |
| 1979–1991 | The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson | Himself (Guest) | 9 episodes |
| 1980 | The Donna Summer Special | An Angel | TV Special |
| 1980–1981 | The Love Boat | Frank Belloque / Allan Curtis | 3 episodes |
| 1981 | Purlie | Prulie Victorious Judson | TV Movie |
| 1981 | An Evening at the Improv | Himself (Host) | TV Special |
| 1982 | The Kid with the Broken Halo | Blake | TV Movie |
| 1983 | The Kid with the 200 I.Q. | Professor Mills | TV Movie |
| 1983 | Saturday Night Live | Himself (Host) | "Robert Guillaume / Duran Duran" |
| 1985 | North & South: Book I | Frederick Douglas | Minisreies (6 episodes) |
| 1986 | John Grin's Christmas | John Grin | TV Movie (also Director) |
| 1986 | Hotel | Frank Stoner | "Shadow Play" |
| 1987 | Perry Mason: The Case of the Scandalous Scoundrel | Harlan Wade | TV Movie |
| 1987 | Crossbow | Nolan Ben Sunniman Al Hedrem | 2 episodes |
| 1987 | The New Hollywood Squares | Himself (Panelist) | "10.26.1987" |
| 1989 | The Penthouse | Eugene St. Clair | TV Movie |
| 1989 | The Robert Guillaume Show | Edward Sawyer | series regular (12 episodes) |
| 1989 | Fire and Rain | Carter | TV Movie |
| 1989 | Sister Kate | Mr. Townsend | "Neville's Hired Hand" |
| 1990 | Carol & Company | Sam | "Soap Gets in Your Eyes" |
| 1990 | The Arsenio Hall Show | Himself | "06.11.1990" |
| 1991–1992 | A Different World | Dean Winston / Professor Murphy | 3 episodes |
| 1991–1992 | Pacific Station | Detective Bob Ballard | series regular (13 episodes) |
| 1992 | Murder Without Motive: The Edmund Perry Story | Police Commissioner | TV Movie (uncredited) |
| 1992 | L.A. Law | Edward Rollins | "Diet, Diet My Darling" |
| 1992 | Fish Police | Detective Catfish (Voice Role) | 6 episodes |
| 1992 | Jack's Place | Ted Sill | "Romance Takes a Curtain Call" |
| 1992 | Driving Miss Daisy | Hoke Colburn | TV Movie |
| 1992 | Mastergate | Sydley Sellers | TV Movie |
| 1992 | You Must Remember This | Uncle Buddy | TV Movie |
| 1992 | One on One with John Tesh | Himself (Guest) | "#1.86" |
| 1992 | Jeopardy! | Himself (Contestant) | "Celebrity Jeopardy! Game #5" |
| 1993 | The Addams Family | Mr. Corblarb (Voice Role) | "Color Me Addams" |
| 1993 | Diagnosis Murder | Father Morrissey | "Miracle Cure" |
| 1993 | Saved by the Bell: The College Years | Dr. Arthur Hemmings | "A Question of Ethics" |
| 1994 | Burke's Law | Eugene Sayers | "Who Killed the Fashion King?" |
| 1994 | Captain Planet and the Planeteers | Citizen (Voice Role) | "Bug Off" |
| 1994 | The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air | Pete Fletcher | "You'd Better Shop Around" |
| 1994 | Greyhounds | Robert Smith | TV Movie |
| 1994 | Cosmic Shop | Gleason Golightly | TV Movie (segment "Space Traders") |
| 1994 | Reading Rainbow | Himself (Voice Role) | "My Shadow" |
| 1995 | Children of the Dust | Mossburger | Miniseries (2 episodes) |
| 1995–1999 | Timon & Pumbaa | Rafiki (Voice Role) | recurring role (12 episodes) |
| 1995–2000 | Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child | Narrator (Voice Role) | series regular (39 episodes) |
| 1996 | Lamb Chop's Chanukah and Passover Surprise | Robert | TV Movie |
| 1996 | Run for the Dream: The Gail Devers Story | Reverend Devers | TV Movie |
| 1996 | Panic in the Skies | Rob Barnes | TV Movie |
| 1996 | Pandora's Clock | Ambassador Lee Lancaster | Miniseries (2 episodes) |
| 1996 | Sparks | Professor Bernard Slater | "Porky's Revenge" |
| 1996 | Promised Land | Martin Woolridge | "Christmas" |
| 1996 | Crystal Cave | Merlin | TV Movie |
| 1996 | Alchemy | Merlin | TV Movie |
| 1997 | Goode Behavior | Dr. Baxter | "Goode Daddy" |
| 1997 | Mother Goose: A Rappin' and Rhymin' Special | Narrator (Voice Role) | TV Movie |
| 1997 | Touched by an Angel | Judge Dawes | "Jones vs. God" |
| 1997 | Merry Christmas, George Bailey | Mr. Gower | TV Movie |
| 1997 | Metropolitan Hospital | unknown role | TV Movie |
| 1997 | Wheel of Fortune | Himself (Celebrity Contestant) | "Celebrity Week 2" |
| 1998 | The Outer Limits | Mr. Brown | "Monster" |
| 1998 | His Bodyguard | Garrett | TV Movie |
| 1998–2000 | Sports Night | Isaac Jaffe | series regular (45 episodes) |
| 1999 | E! True Hollywood Story | Himself (Interviewee) | "Superfly: The Ron O'Neal Story" |
| 2000 | Moesha | Arthur | "All This and Turkey, Too" |
| 2001 | Hollywood Squares | Himself (Panelist) | 2 episodes |
| 2002 | The Proud Family | Dr. Parker (Voice Role) | "Behind Family Lines" |
| 2003 | 8 Simple Rules | Cody Grant | "Every Picture Tells a Story" |
| 2004 | Century City | Judge | "To Know Her" |
| 2005 | Larry King Live | Himself (Guest) | "05.20.2005" |
| 2008 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Sonny Bridges | "Young Man with a Horn" |
| 2013 | Wanda Sykes Presents Herlarious | Historian | TV Special |
| 2016 | Oprah: Where Are They Now? | Himself (Interviewee) | "Transgender Teen Jazz Jennings/Stars of "Growing Pains"/Robert Guillaume" |
Theater
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Finian's Rainbow | 2nd Geologist / Howard (understudy) | 12 performances |
| 1961 | Kwamina | Ako | 32 performances |
| 1963 | Tambourines to Glory | C.J. Moore | 2 previews; 24 performances |
| 1970–1971 | Purlie | Purlie (replacement) | 28 previews; 688 performances |
| 1976–1977 | Guys & Dolls | Nathan Detroit | 12 previews; 239 performances |
| 1993–1994 | Cyrano — The Musical | Cyrano (replacement) | 39 previews; 137 performances |
Music Videos
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Dianna Ross: "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" | Angel-Man | |
| 1994 | Elton John: "Circle of Life" | Himself | uncredited |
Video Games
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Animated StoryBook: The Lion King | Rafiki | Voice Role |
| 1995 | The Lion King: Activity Center | Rafiki | Voice Role |
| 1998 | The Lion King II: Simba's Pride Active Play | Rafiki | Voice Role |
| 1998 | Disney's Adventures in Typing with Timon & Pumbaa | Rafiki | Voice Role |
| 2000 | The Lion King: Simba's Mighty Adventure | Rafiki | Voice Role |
| 2003 | Extreme Skate Adventure | Rafiki | Voice Role |
| 2004 | Who Wants to King of the Jungle | Rafiki | Voice Role |
| 2004 | Timon & Pumbaa Virtual Safari 1.5 | Rafiki | Voice Role |
| 2004 | Rafiki's Challenge | Rafiki | Voice Role |
| 2004 | Half-Life 2 | Dr. Eli Vance | Voice Role |
| 2005 | Kingdom Hearts II | Rafiki | Voice Role (English version) |
| 2006 | Half-Life 2: Episode One | Dr. Eli Vance | Voice Role |
| 2007 | Kingdom of Hearts II: Final Mix+ | Rafiki | Voice Role (English version) |
| 2007 | Half-Life 2: Episode Two | Dr. Eli Vance | Voice Role |
| 2012 | Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom | Rafiki | Voice Role |
Awards and nominations
References
- ^ a b Huff, Richard (January 21, 1999). "Stroke Sidelines Guillaume". New York Daily News. Retrieved August 27, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f Slotnik, Daniel E. (October 24, 2017). "Robert Guillaume, Emmy Award Winning-Star of 'Benson', Dies at 89". The New York Times. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e Pollard-Terry, Gayle (January 8, 2003). "Robert Guillaume memoir details tumultuous life". The Seattle Times. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
- ^ a b c Italie, Hillel (October 24, 2017). "'Benson' star Robert Guillaume dead at 89". Chicago Tribune. Associated Press. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e "Robert Guillaume, Emmy-winning actor in 'Soap' and 'Benson,' dies at 89". The Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. October 24, 2017. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
- ^ a b c d "Donna Brown Guillaume Actor Robert Guillaume's Wife". Daily Entertainment News. October 25, 2017. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
- ^ Guillaume, Robert; Ritz, David (2002). Guillaume, A life. Columbia, MO: University of Missouri Press. p. 82. ISBN 978-0-8262-1426-3.
- ^ Hawkes, Ellen (May 24, 1992). "The Anger Sustained Me". Parade. pp. 12–14. Retrieved February 2, 2022 – via Toledo Blade.
- ^ Carlin, Peter Ames (October 11, 2016). Homeward bound: the life of Paul Simon (First ed.). New York: Henry Holt & Co. ISBN 978-1-6277-9034-5.
- ^ https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3466453/r-p-robert-guillaume-first-african-american-play-phantom-opera/
- ^ Guillaume, Robert (October 20, 1975). "Emmy TV Legends Interviews". Emmy TV Legends. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
Boy, that Marcus Welby must make fifteen million house calls a week
- ^ a b c Italie, Hillel (December 26, 2017). . San Francisco Chronicle. Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 25, 2017. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
- ^ . KGTV News. October 24, 2017. Archived from the original on October 25, 2017. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
- ^ "Mr. Thicknose". Behind the Voice Actors. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
- ^ "Half-Life 2 voice cast revealed". Game Spot. June 25, 2004. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
- ^ "Inductees: Acting & Entertainment". St. Louis Walk of Fame. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
- ^ "Robert Guillaume". Hollywood Walk of Fame. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
- ^ "Robert Guillaume – Hollywood Star Walk". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
- ^ "Robert Guillaume, Emmy-winning Benson and Sports Night actor, dies at 89". Entertainment Weekly. October 24, 2017. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
- ^ "Robert Guillaume: Credits". TV Guide. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
- ^ . Hollywood.com. Archived from the original on October 25, 2017. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
- ^ "Overview for Robert Guillaume". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
- ^ "Robert Guillaume – Broadway Cast & Staff | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
- ^ "Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Or Comedy-Variety Or Music Series 1979". Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Retrieved August 27, 2011.
- ^ "Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series 1985". Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Retrieved August 27, 2011.
- ^ . Archived from the original on June 27, 2012. Retrieved September 7, 2012.
External links
- Official website[dead link]
- Robert Guillaume at IMDb
- at the TCM Movie Database
- Robert Guillaume at the Internet Broadway Database
- Robert Guillaume at the Internet Off-Broadway Database
- St. Louis Walk of Fame November 15, 2017, at the Wayback Machine
- Robert Guillaume's oral history video excerpts at The National Visionary Leadership Project
- Robert Guillaume at The Interviews: An Oral History of Television
- Robert Guillaume(Aveleyman)