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Robert Guillaume

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Robert Guillaume
Guillaume at the premiere of Seems Like Old Times in 1980
Born
Robert Peter Williams

(1927-11-30)November 30, 1927
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
DiedOctober 24, 2017(2017-10-24) (aged 89)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Alma materWashington University in St. Louis
Occupations
  • Actor
  • singer
Years active1959–2017
Known forSoap
Benson
Guys and Dolls
The Lion King
Spouses
  • Marlene Williams
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1955; div. 1984)​
  • Donna Brown-Guillaume
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1986)​
Children5

Robert Guillaume (born Robert Peter Williams; November 30, 1927 – October 24, 2017) was an American actor and singer. He played Benson DuBois in the ABC television series Soap and its spin-off, Benson.[1] He also voiced the mandrill Rafiki in The Lion King, and played Isaac Jaffe in Aaron Sorkin's dramedy Sports Night.

In a career that spanned more than 50 years, Guillaume 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 again 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. Guillaume was the first African-American actor to portray the title role in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera.

Early life

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Guillaume was born Robert Peter Williams in St. Louis[2] to an alcoholic mother. 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 U.S. Army before pursuing an acting career.[4] He adopted the surname Guillaume (French for William) as his stage name.

Career

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Stage

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George Goodman, William Ray, Robert Guillaume and Olive Moorefield, rehearsal of Porgy and Bess, Théâtre du Capitole. Archives de Toulouse.

After college, 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.[9] His additional roles included Katherine Dunham's Bambouche and in Fly The Blackbird.[4]

In 1964, Guillaume 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 a 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 and 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.[10]

In 1976, Guillaume played Nathan Detroit in the Broadway revival of Guys and Dolls and was nominated for a Tony Award.[11]

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.[12]

Television

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As Benson in Soap, 1977

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.[13]

His series-regular debut was on the ABC series Soap, playing Benson, a butler, from 1977 to 1979.[14] 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.[14] 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.[15] He lent his deep tenor voice as Mr. Thicknose in The Land Before Time VIII: The Big Freeze.[16] He also supplied the voice for Eli Vance in the 2004 video game Half-Life 2 and its immediate episodic sequels.[17]

Personal life

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Guillaume was married twice; first to Marlene Williams in 1955, with whom he had two sons, Kevin and Jacques. They divorced in 1984.[3] Guillaume's daughter, Melissa, was born in 1980; he and her mother, Patricia, raised her. He 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] Guillaume's son Jacques died on December 23, 1990, at the age of 33, of complications of AIDS.[5]

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 therapy consisting of walks and gym sessions.[5]

Death

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Guillaume died of prostate cancer on October 24, 2017, at his home in Los Angeles, California, aged 89.[14]

Honors

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Guillaume has a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame.[18] On November 28, 1984, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work in the television industry.[19][20]

Filmography

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Film

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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)
1996 Spy Hard Agent Steve Bishop
First Kid Wilkes
1998 The Easter Story Keepers Ben (voice) Direct-to-video
The Lion King II: Simba's Pride Rafiki (voice)
1999 Silicon Towers Detective Green
2001 The Land Before Time VIII: The Big Freeze Mr. Thicknose (voice) Direct-to-video
2002 The Adventures of Tom Thumb & Thumbelina Ben (voice)
13th Child Riley
2003 The Lion King Read-Along Rafiki (voice) Direct-to-video
Big Fish Dr. Bennett (senior)
2004 The Lion King 1½ Rafiki (voice) 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

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Year Title Role Notes
1966 Porgy in Wien Unknown role TV movie
1969 Julia Robert Barron Episode: "The Wheel Deal"
1970 Marcus Welby, M.D. Aaron Carothers Episode: "The Soft Phrase of Peace"
1975 Sanford and Son Albert Brock Episode: "Steinberg and Son"
All in the Family Dr. Franklin Episode: "Chain Letter"
The Jeffersons Charles Thompson Episode: "George Won't Talk"
1977 Good Times Theodopius P. Johnson Episode: "Requiem for a Wino"
1977–1980 Soap Benson DuBois Recurring role (50 episodes)
1978 Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Jack Klugman Himself TV special
Hollywood Squares Himself (Panelist) Episode: "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
Dinah! Himself (Guest) Episode: "05.01.1979"
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
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
Saturday Night Live Himself (Host) Episode: "Robert Guillaume / Duran Duran"
1985 North & South: Book I Frederick Douglas Miniseries (6 episodes)
1986 John Grin's Christmas John Grin TV movie (also director)
Hotel Frank Stoner Episode: "Shadow Play"
1987 Perry Mason: The Case of the Scandalous Scoundrel Harlan Wade TV movie
Crossbow Nolan Ben Sunniman Al Hedrem 2 episodes
The New Hollywood Squares Himself (Panelist) Episode: "10.26.1987"
1989 The Penthouse Eugene St. Clair TV movie
The Robert Guillaume Show Edward Sawyer Series regular (12 episodes)
Fire and Rain Carter TV movie
Sister Kate Mr. Townsend Episode: "Neville's Hired Hand"
1990 Carol & Company Sam Episode: "Soap Gets in Your Eyes"
The Arsenio Hall Show Himself Episode: "06.11.1990"
1991–1992 A Different World Dean Winston / Professor Murphy 3 episodes
Pacific Station Detective Bob Ballard Series regular (13 episodes)
1992 Murder Without Motive: The Edmund Perry Story Police Commissioner TV movie (uncredited)
L.A. Law Edward Rollins Episode: "Diet, Diet My Darling"
Fish Police Detective Catfish (voice) 6 episodes
Jack's Place Ted Sill Episode: "Romance Takes a Curtain Call"
Driving Miss Daisy Hoke Colburn TV movie
Mastergate Sydley Sellers TV movie
You Must Remember This Uncle Buddy TV movie
One on One with John Tesh Himself (Guest) Episode: "#1.86"
Jeopardy! Himself (Contestant) Episode: "Celebrity Jeopardy! Game #5"
1993 The Addams Family Mr. Corblarb (voice) Episode: "Color Me Addams"
Diagnosis Murder Father Morrissey Episode: "Miracle Cure"
Saved by the Bell: The College Years Dr. Arthur Hemmings Episode: "A Question of Ethics"
1994 Burke's Law Eugene Sayers Episode: "Who Killed the Fashion King?"
Captain Planet and the Planeteers Citizen (voice) Episode: "Bug Off"
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Pete Fletcher Episode: "You'd Better Shop Around"
Greyhounds Robert Smith TV movie
Cosmic Slop Gleason Golightly TV movie (Segment: "Space Traders")
Reading Rainbow Himself (voice) Episode: "My Shadow"
1995 Children of the Dust Mossburger Miniseries (2 episodes)
1995–1999 Timon & Pumbaa Rafiki (voice) Recurring role (12 episodes)
1995–2000 Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child Narrator (voice) Series regular (39 episodes)
1996 Lamb Chop's Chanukah and Passover Surprise Robert TV movie
Run for the Dream: The Gail Devers Story Reverend Devers TV movie
Panic in the Skies Rob Barnes TV movie
Pandora's Clock Ambassador Lee Lancaster Miniseries (2 episodes)
Sparks Professor Bernard Slater Episode: "Porky's Revenge"
Promised Land Martin Woolridge Episode: "Christmas"
Crystal Cave Merlin TV movie
Alchemy Merlin TV movie
1997 Goode Behavior Dr. Baxter Episode: "Goode Daddy"
Mother Goose: A Rappin' and Rhymin' Special Narrator (voice) TV movie
Touched by an Angel Judge Dawes Episode: "Jones vs. God"
Merry Christmas, George Bailey Mr. Gower TV movie
Metropolitan Hospital Unknown role TV movie
Wheel of Fortune Himself (Celebrity Contestant) Episode: "Celebrity Week 2"
1998 The Outer Limits Mr. Brown Episode: "Monster"
His Bodyguard Garrett TV movie
1998–2000 Sports Night Isaac Jaffe Series regular (45 episodes)
1999 E! True Hollywood Story Himself (Interviewee) Episode: "Superfly: The Ron O'Neal Story"
2000 Moesha Arthur Episode: "All This and Turkey, Too"
2001 Hollywood Squares Himself (Panelist) 2 episodes
2002 The Proud Family Dr. Parker (voice) Episode: "Behind Family Lines"
2003 8 Simple Rules Cody Grant Episode: "Every Picture Tells a Story"
2004 Century City Judge Episode: "To Know Her"
2005 Larry King Live Himself (Guest) Episode: "05.20.2005"
2008 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Sonny Bridges Episode: "Young Man with a Horn"
2013 Wanda Sykes Presents Herlarious Historian TV special
2016 Oprah: Where Are They Now? Himself (Interviewee) Episode: "Transgender Teen Jazz Jennings/Stars of "Growing Pains"/Robert Guillaume"

Theater

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Year Title Role Notes
1960 Finian's Rainbow 2nd Geologist / Howard (understudy) Broadway
1961 Kwamina Ako
1963 Tambourines to Glory C.J. Moore
1964 Porgy and Bess Sportin' Life Off-Broadway
1970–1973 Purlie Purlie Broadway & National tour
1976–1977 Guys and Dolls Nathan Detroit Broadway
1990 The Phantom of the Opera The Phantom of the Opera Los Angeles
1993–1994 Cyrano — The Musical Cyrano Broadway

Music videos

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Year Title Role Notes
1980 Dianna Ross: "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" Angel-Man
1994 Elton John: "Circle of Life" Himself uncredited

Video games

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Year Title Role Notes
1994 Animated StoryBook: The Lion King Rafiki Voice role
1995 The Lion King: Activity Center
1998 The Lion King II: Simba's Pride Active Play
1998 Disney's Adventures in Typing with Timon & Pumbaa
2000 The Lion King: Simba's Mighty Adventure
2003 Extreme Skate Adventure
2004 Who Wants to King of the Jungle
Timon & Pumbaa Virtual Safari 1.5
Rafiki's Challenge
Half-Life 2 Dr. Eli Vance
2005 Kingdom Hearts II Rafiki Voice role (English version)
2006 Half-Life 2: Episode One Dr. Eli Vance Voice role
2007 Kingdom 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
Sources:[2][5][21][22][23][24][25]

Awards and nominations

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Year Association Award category Result
1977 Guys and Dolls Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical Nominated
Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical Nominated
1979 Soap Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Won[26]
1980 Benson Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Nominated
1982 Nominated
1983 Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy Nominated
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Nominated
1984 Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy Nominated
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Nominated
1985 Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy Nominated
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Won[27]
1995 The Lion King Read-Along Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for Children Won[28]
2000 Sports Night Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Nominated
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program Nominated

References

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  1. ^ a b Huff, Richard (January 21, 2011). "Stroke Sidelines Guillaume". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on June 12, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2011.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ a b c d e Pollard-Terry, Gayle (January 8, 2003). "Robert Guillaume memoir details tumultuous life". The Seattle Times. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c Italie, Hillel (October 24, 2017). "'Benson' star Robert Guillaume dead at 89". Chicago Tribune. Associated Press. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "Robert Guillaume, Emmy-winning actor in 'Soap' and 'Benson,' dies at 89". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. October 24, 2017. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  6. ^ a b c d "Robert Guillaume". The Los Angeles Times. September 2, 1994. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  7. ^ Guillaume, Robert; Ritz, David (2002). Guillaume, A life. Columbia, MO: University of Missouri Press. p. 82. ISBN 978-0-8262-1426-3.
  8. ^ Hawkes, Ellen (May 24, 1992). "The Anger Sustained Me". Parade. pp. 12–14. Retrieved February 2, 2022 – via Toledo Blade.
  9. ^ "'Purlie' Returning to Stage". The New York Times. November 25, 1972. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ Guys & Dolls
  12. ^ Squires, John (October 24, 2017). "R.I.P. Robert Guillaume Was the First African American to Play 'Phantom of the Opera'". Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  13. ^ 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
  14. ^ a b c Italie, Hillel (December 26, 2017). "Emmy Award-winning "Benson" star Robert Guillaume dies at 89". San Francisco Chronicle. Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 25, 2017. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  15. ^ "Emmy-winning actor Robert Guillaume dies at age 89". KGTV News. October 24, 2017. Archived from the original on October 25, 2017. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  16. ^ "Mr. Thicknose". Behind the Voice Actors. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  17. ^ "Half-Life 2 voice cast revealed". Game Spot. June 25, 2004. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  18. ^ "Inductees: Acting & Entertainment". St. Louis Walk of Fame. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  19. ^ "Robert Guillaume". Hollywood Walk of Fame. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
  20. ^ "Robert Guillaume – Hollywood Star Walk". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
  21. ^ "Robert Guillaume, Emmy-winning Benson and Sports Night actor, dies at 89". Entertainment Weekly. October 24, 2017. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  22. ^ "Robert Guillaume: Credits". TV Guide. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  23. ^ "Robert Guillaume". Hollywood.com. Archived from the original on October 25, 2017. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  24. ^ "Overview for Robert Guillaume". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  25. ^ "Robert Guillaume – Broadway Cast & Staff | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  26. ^ "Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Or Comedy-Variety Or Music Series 1979". Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Retrieved August 27, 2011.
  27. ^ "Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series 1985". Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Retrieved August 27, 2011.
  28. ^ "Biography". Archived from the original on June 27, 2012. Retrieved September 7, 2012.
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