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1-50 of 129
- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Adande Thorne, aka sWooZie, is an actor, comedian, animator, director, professional gamer and YouTube star. Adande initially began his career as a professional gamer and traveled the world to compete in events appearing regularly on IGN and G4. His videos chronicled his journey and created a large and loyal following. Adande's content has grown to encompass animated videos and humorous anecdotes about life that have garnered millions of views.- Actor
- Producer
- Director
Aki Aleong was born in Trinidad and Tobago. His distinguished career has spanned more than 60 years as an actor, singer, writer, producer, activist and martial arts and action film star.
Aki currently stars as Dr. Yuki Tano in Nico Santucci's feature film "Sarogeto" - a story revealing the complicated and emotional struggle that Japanese American Grace / Minami Stanton faces and the controversial decision she makes on this unorthodox journey of a woman's search to find peace for her family and spiritual enlightenment. It's a film filled with relevant and thought provoking subjects including depression, anxiety and suicide (accepted in Japanese culture versus Western). Sarogeto stars Ikumi Yoshimatsu, Eric Roberts, Winsor Harmon, Ruby Park, Koji Niiya, Aki Aleong, Angelica Bridges and Nikki Nikita. Much of this movie was shot in the Aokigahara Forest (Suicide Forest) in Japan and is partially subtitled in Japanese, with the majority in English. Additional locations include Tokyo, Laguna Beach, Marina del Rey and Newport Beach and the film is set for release in 2021.
Aki's career started on Broadway in "Teahouse of the August Moon" and "The Interview." He went on to star in more than 50 movies and 150 television shows and worked with such Academy Award-winners as Frank Sinatra Jr., Marlon Brando, Faye Dunaway, Joanne Woodward, Steve McQueen, Ben Kingsley, John Mills, Ernest Borgnine, Jennifer Connelly and Martin Landau. His career included working with such prominent writers and directors as William Wyler (3 time Oscar winner), John Sturges, Martin Ritt, John Milius, Lionel Chetwynd, Philip Yordan, Mark Rydell, and Nobel Peace Prize Winner Pearl S. Buck.
Aki has starred in features with the best martial artists in the world, including Cung Le in "Blizniy Boy: The Ultimate Fighter" (2007) and "Savage Dog" (2017); Bolo Yeoung in Blizniy Boy: The Ultimate Fighter"; and with Sammo Hung in "Martial Law" (1998). He worked with world-class female martial artists Cynthia Rothrock, in "Sci-Fighter" (2004). and Juju Chan, in "Savage Dog" (2017) and "Road to Hell" (2017). He worked with Scott Adkins in "Savage Dog" (2017); Darren Shahlavi in "Pound of Flesh" (2015); Gary Daniels, Al Leong and Ron Yuan in "Deadly Target" (1994); and with Gary Hudson, Jason Gedrick and Kim Delaney in "The Force" (1994).
Although he is a heroic rights activist in real life, Aki has often played villains in martial arts and action films. In "Braddock: Missing in Action III" (1988), Chuck Norris' character of Braddock, his wife and son are captured by soldiers of the sadistic Vietnamese General Quoc, played by Aki. Quoc kills Braddock's wife on the spot, and tortures Braddock and his son until he meets his death at the end of the film. Aki's numerous memorable roles include Senator Hidoshi during the first season of "Babylon 5"; Mr. Chiang in the weekly series of "V: The Series"; the Dalai Lama in "Superhero Movie" (2008); and the character of Colonel Mitamura in "Farewell to the King" with Nick Nolte.
Aki's musical talent was discovered by Frank Sinatra when they were filming together on the film "Lover's So Few". Sinatra signed Aki to his Reprise Records Label. Aki is the first Asian American to have a Top 100 record "Trade Winds", which he wrote and co-produced, on the National Charts in the US. Aki has served as a record executive and chaired the Fraternity of Recording Executives and was President of the Pan World Records and Golden Dragon publishing companies. He was the National Director of Black Promotion for Polydor/Polygram Records and also worked with Liberty/UA Records and Capitol Records. He also produced records for Columbia Records, Capitol, Liberty/UA, Arista and other prominent labels.
Aki served on the National Board of the Screen Actors Guild; was appointed National Chair of SAG'S EEOC, and was a member of the President's Diversity/Affirmative Action Task Force. He has also been Executive Director of AIM (Asians in Media), Vice President of The Media Coalition of Los Angeles and President of Media Action Network for Asian-Americans (MANAA). He received an Honorary Doctorate from New Dimensions University in 2013. Aki is the President and CEO of Mustard Seed Media Group and the Senior Advisor to Ace Studios in Hong Kong.- Al Kamarr was born in Trinidad in 1948. He started out as a farmer when he was 7 and continued until he was 18. He then went to accounting school and graduated from accounting school at the age of 23. Since then, he has been an accountant until the age of 30. At the age of 30, he went to real estate school and has been a realtor since. Inside of an airport, his future movie agent found him and said that he would be perfect in movies. Therefore, in 1992, he acted as the bodyguard to the mafia in Le Grand Pador II. Then, in later 1992, he acted as a guest at a dinner in The Bodyguard. In 1994, he acted as a terrorist henchman to Salim Abu Aziz (Art Malik). Lastly, he made his first movie actually talking in 1998's Holy Man. He has read many scripts, but has not found a suitable one yet. He now lives in Boca Raton, Florida in the U.S.
- Alfred H. Mendes was born on 18 November 1897 in Trinidad and Tobago. Alfred H. died in 1991 in Barbados.
- Althea McNish was born on 15 May 1924 in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. She was married to John Weiss . She died on 16 April 2020 in London, England, UK.
- Altheia Jones-Lecointe was born on 9 January 1945 in Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago. She has been married to Eddie Lecointe since 1970. They have two children.
- Ancile Gloudon was born on 13 April 1933 in Trinidad and Tobago. He was an actor, known for Piranha II: The Spawning (1982), Wide Sargasso Sea (1993) and Passion and Paradise (1989). He was married to Barbara Gloudon. He died on 30 April 2022 in Gordon Town, Jamaica.
- Actor
- Producer
- Writer
Andy Dardaine, a native of Trinidad and Tobago, was raised in Boston, Massachusetts. Andy relocated to Orlando, Florida where he attended the University of Central Florida. During his studies, Andy landed numerous roles in commercials as well as on the stage at the Conservatory. After successfully completing his undergraduate studies, Andy was recognized as being the first African American to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Conservatory at The University of Central Florida. Andy now lives in Los Angeles, where he continues to be successful in his career.- Additional Crew
Andy Warner was born on January 31st 1984 in Port Of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. At age two his parents moved to the Caribbean Island of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, where they were from. He spent the next fourteen years of his life in St. Vincent. At age twelve Andy lost his mom to diabetes. At a young age, Andy discovered his love for story telling not, by writing, but by daydreaming events and stories making what's in his mind appear to be so real. A process which he later found out is an art form called filmmaking. In August of 2000, Andy moved with his sister to Seattle, WA. There he attended Shorecrest High school, but his stay there was very short, after being offered the opportunity to move to Lancaster, CA. Just 50 miles north of Los Angeles, in Lancaster, Andy lived with his aunt, uncle and his cousin. There he attended Quartz Hill high school as a junior and a senior.
With on-going aspirations on becoming a film/television director and producer, in 2002 he left High School to join the US Army (Fort Bragg, NC) this way he be able to get the necessary funds to finance his college degree in film. After serving two and a half years at Fort Bragg, NC, Andy migrated to new York City. He landed in New York City in 2004, where he began attending the Katharine Gibbs School. While at Gibbs Andy struggled his way through school emotionally after losing his father, to a stroke. He was eighty years old. Andy was twenty. At twenty he had lost both his mom and dad, all he had left was his dream and passion. After a tough battle with emotions he graduated with a degree in Film Production. Andy then went on to start his career as a promo/commercial produce and director at MTV Networks -VH1, after a successful internship in January 2006.- Anthony Marsh was born on 13 June 1912 in Trinidad, British West Indies [now Trinidad and Tobago]. He was an actor, known for Overland Stage Raiders (1938), Society Fever (1935) and Portia on Trial (1937). He died on 15 September 1974 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
- Actor
- Make-Up Department
- Sound Department
Antonio Benedict was born on 15 April 1975 in Trinidad and Tobago. He is an actor, known for Simon Sez (1999), Sleepy Hollow High (2000) and Gangsta Grrlz (1998).- Anya Ayoung-Chee was born on 17 October 1981 in Trinidad and Tobago. She has been married to Wyatt Gallery since January 2018. They have one child.
- Asha Rampat was born on 5 February 1998 in Trinidad and Tobago. She is an actress, known for The Gate (2017).
- Leading and supporting African-American actor, Austin Stoker has been recognized since the '70s. Born and raised in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, West Indies, he attributes his affinity for the performing arts to being - since age 6 - a devoted participant in the over 200-year-old Trinidadian carnival - reportedly "The World's Most Colorful Festival". At 16, Austin's dream was to attend London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. That dream never came true. But as chance would have it, he was invited to join the Geoffrey Holder Dance Group in his hometown in Trinidad, which brought him to New York and landed in a Broadway show playing the steel drum, the musical instrument invented in Trinidad. As an all-around percussionist and singer, Austin worked with the group steadily for three years in concerts and clubs, until he was drafted into the US Army. Upon his return to civilian life, he became a permanent US resident and eventually began his dramatic training at New York's HB Studio, culminating in a scholarship under the tutelage of the distinguished exegete and author Uta Hagen. While performing on-screen, he has also been active consistently on the stage as well. His first major role on-screen was Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973) playing MacDonald. He later returned for the short-lived TV series Return to the Planet of the Apes (1975) and a short role in Airport 1975 (1974). His parts, however, got him the attention of a couple of "blaxploitation" directors of the early 70s. He took the lead role in the exploitation thriller The Get-Man (1974) and Abby (1974) and as Pam Grier's undercover sidekick and lover in the hit film 'Sheba, Baby' (1975), all three films directed by the late William Girdler. But Austin has probably mostly been recognized and remembered for his lead performance as Lt. Ethan Bishop whose police station is besieged by a gang in John Carpenter's Assault on Precinct 13 (1976). He eventually took co-star and supporting roles in the late '70s to the early '80s in films like Time Walker (1982) and did numerous guest appearances on popular television shows. Although Austin's activity in films in recent years has been less than he would prefer, he continues to work on stage.
- Ava Groves is an actress best known for her role as iCandy. A Paranormal Investigator on the hit TV show Paranormal After Party on Fox56 and The CW TV networks. She is an empath & natural conduit for spirits and has the ability to understand and share their feelings. She recognized her true empathic potential while investigating in the field and out on different haunted locations with her peers. She has also been in a variety of films and movies with such acclaimed actors and actresses as Michael Rooker (Walking Dead) , Luis Guzman (Carlito's Way), Stephen Baldwin, and the beautiful singer actress Alicia Keys...to name a few. Acting has always been a passion of Ava's ever since she was a child, performing in on stage plays, and singing as well. Now with alot of experience under her belt, she continues to flourish in the entertainment industry
- Avinash Kissoon was born on 15 March 1997 in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. He is an actor, known for Aagman: The Arrival (2022).
- Music Artist
- Actor
- Composer
Billy Ocean was born on 21 January 1950 in Trinidad, British West Indies [now Trinidad and Tobago]. He is a music artist and actor, known for The Jewel of the Nile (1985), Striptease (1996) and Filth (2013). He has been married to Judy Bayne since October 1982. They have three children.- Soundtrack
Black Stalin was born on 23 September 1941 in San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago, British West Indies. He was married to Patsy. He died on 28 December 2022 in San Fernando, Trinidad.- Brandon Bailey was born on 5 November 1932 in Arima, Trinidad and Tobago. He died on 9 October 2013.
- Brian Leslie was born on 25 January 1952 in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. He is an actor, known for Ignition (2001), My Inventions (2008) and Ill Fated (2004).
- Brian Withstandley was born in 1940 in San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago. He was an actor, known for Egression (2011), The Better Half (2011) and London's Burning (1988). He died on 2 December 2015 in the UK.
- Soundtrack
C.L.R. James was born on 4 January 1901 in Tunapuna, St. George, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago. He was married to Selma James, Constance Webb and Juanita Young. He died on 31 May 1989 in Brixton, Lambeth, London, England, UK.- Camera and Electrical Department
- Actor
- Cinematographer
Candide Franklyn was born on 2 October 1967 in Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago. He was an actor and cinematographer, known for The Core (2003), Johnny Mnemonic (1995) and Godsend (2004). He died on 12 February 2013 in Los Angeles, California, USA.- Christopher Jordan was born on 23 December 1967 in Port of Spain, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago. He is an actor, known for Push (2006) and The Other Side (2004).
- Actor
- Location Management
Christopher Mayer was born in 1961 in Trinidad, British West Indies [now Trinidad and Tobago]. He is an actor, known for Lantana (2001), Home and Away (1988) and Hey Dad..! (1987).- Claudia Jones was born on 21 February 1915 in Belmont, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. She died on 24 December 1964 in London, Greater London, England, UK.
- Writer
- Producer
Clint Murphy, born in Trinidad and migrated to Montreal at an early age with his parents, he grew up with a very active imagination inspired by movies like Star Wars, Star Trek, and Richard Donner's Superman as well as television shows like Knight Rider, The Voyagers, and Quantum Leap. With his love for storytelling and drawing, he created a world through designing his own comic books as a past time hobby. Taking that love of art further, he enrolled in 3D animation at College Interdec. After leaving Montreal he went on to study 3D Animation at Seneca College earning his Maya certificate. Wanting to hone in on his storytelling skills he later attended George Brown's film study program where he focused on screenwriting. From there he wrote his first two comedic shorts: 4:30 and 4:45 The Meeting which was produced in 2012. In 2017, he received his first Actra credit for co-writing a short film called The Silver Angel, it went on to receive the Silver Remi for best Original Short at Worldfest Short Film Festival in Houston. Later in 2017, Soul Mecha: Betrayals of Exile received a quarterfinal placement from CWA - Creative World Award, Original Television Drama category and a Second Rounders placement in the Austin Film Festival for the AMC One-Hour Pilot competition. Clint continues on mastering his craft by writing several other shorts, features, and original television scripts.- Writer
- Director
- Cinematographer
Daniel Mall is a Trinidad & Tobago born director, editor, and DP. He is known for Noisy Silence (2013), The Blind Traveler (2013), and A Killer Diagnosis (2014).
Self taught from an early age, Daniel always had a passion for creating things with his camera, often using friends or family members as his cast and crew. Although graduating in 2015 with a degree in the social sciences from the University of South Florida, Daniel honed many of his creative skills during this time. From short films to music videos, he left no opportunity to learn and collaborate with other creators unturned.
If you'd like to book or work with Daniel on your next shoot, you can find him on Instagram @danielxmall.- Script and Continuity Department
- Producer
- Additional Crew
Darcus Howe was born on 26 February 1943 in Moruga, Victoria, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago. He was a producer, known for Partition (1987), Bob Marley and the Wailers: The Bob Marley Story (1984) and Viv Richards - King of Cricket (1987). He was married to Leila Hassan and Una Howe. He died on 1 April 2017 in Streatham, London, England, UK.- Visual Effects
- Producer
Darvin K. Manwah was born on 26 July 1986 in Trinidad and Tobago. He is a producer, known for Spectral (2016), Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) and Glass Onion (2022).- Denise Plummer was born on 8 November 1953 in Saint James, Trinidad and Tobago. She was married to Patrick Boocock. She died on 27 August 2023 in Trinidad.
- Dennis Hall was born on 30 September 1948 in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, British West Indies. He was an actor, known for A Winter Tale (2007) and Lord Have Mercy! (2003). He was married to Natasha. He died on 2 October 2020 in Mt. Hope, Trinidad and Tobago.
- Actress
- Producer
- Soundtrack
Dominique Jackson was born on 20 March 1975 in Scarborough, Trinidad and Tobago. She is an actress and producer, known for Pose (2018), In Every Dream Home and The Patience of Vultures. She was previously married to Al Jackson.- Actor
- Soundtrack
Duke of Iron was born on 22 November 1906 in Trinidad and Tobago. He is an actor, known for Calypso Joe (1957), The Web (1950) and Wild Indian (1948). He was previously married to Clarice Mc Dowall.- Actor
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Dwayne Bravo was born on 7 October 1983 in Santa Cruz, Trinidad and Tobago. He is an actor, known for Tum Bin II (2016), Chithiram Pesuthadi 2 (2019) and Dwayne 'DJ' Bravo: Champion (2016).- Actor
- Stunts
Dwight D. Woods was born on 2 June 1959 in Trinidad, British West Indies [now Trinidad and Tobago]. He is an actor, known for Charlie's Angels (2011), Only the Strong (1993) and The Island (2023).- Composer
- Writer
- Music Department
Edmundo Ros was born on 7 December 1910 in Port of Spain, Trinidad, British West Indies [now Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago]. He was a composer and writer, known for A Good Year (2006), Paddington (2014) and Gangster No. 1 (2000). He was married to Britt Johansen. He died on 21 October 2011 in Alicante, Alicante, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain.- Emmanuel spent his early years growing up in a small village in Trinidad. When he was 15 he moved the USA with his dad. Most of his family stayed in Trinidad. He never intended on becoming an actor but due to his personality and wide network he was referred by a friend to a producer where he landed his first role in a short film.
- Errol Jones was born in 1923 in Port of Spain, Trinidad, British West Indies [now Trinidad and Tobago]. He was an actor, known for Bim (1974) and NBC Experiment in Television (1967). He died on 21 June 2010 in Cascade, Trinidad and Tobago.
- Actor
- Editor
- Producer
Fidel Guerra was born on 16 April 1983 in Trinidad and Tobago. He is an actor and editor, known for Tomb (2016), Escape from Babylon (2013) and Beaumont Belles (2017).- Actress
- Writer
- Producer
One of the most famous presenters of Play School (1964) she has recently devoted her life to charity work. As well as sitting on the Board of Governors of Britain's National Film & Television School, she was awarded the OBE by the Queen for services to broadcasting and charity in 2001.
As of 28th May 2010, she is formally known as Baroness Benjamin of Beckenham, in the county of Kent, upon her elevation to the peerage of the United Kingdom in the Dissolution Honours List published that day (the list names those individuals receiving Honours from the Monarch at a time following the dissolution of the UK Parliament), after nomination by the Liberal Democrat party. On 28th June 2010 Lady Benjamin took her seat as a Life Peer in the House of Lords, the upper house of the UK Parliament, where she has said she "...will be devoting much energy to the well being of children and young people".- Actress
- Writer
- Producer
Frances De Lancey was fortunate to discover her broad love for the arts and have it supported at a young age, she sang, danced, acted and played the piano and steel pan but most of all she was very outspoken and creative.
In her high school years at the St François Girls' College she discovered her love for theatre and went on to complete a full Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts at the University of the West Indies. There she fine tuned her gifts and developed her keen directors eye and playwrights craft, writing and directing her first musical in 2014.
Her love for the stage expanded to screen work as she went on to become trained in screen acting, being casted for her first international movie roll in the feature film 'Girlfriends Getaway' in 2014 and she will be featured in releases such as "Stolen" "The Witness" "Scandalous" "Pendulum" and "The Apartment" in July 2015.
Honing her craft is a never ending journey for her as she continues to build her legacy as an artist, both in practice and theory as she pursues her Master of Arts in Cultural Studies.
In December 2015 she has been selected to attend the ARTS Showcase in Orlando Florida where she will be participating in TV Acting, Cold Reads, Monologues, Commercials, Improvisation and Print Photography.- Frank Crichlow was born on 13 July 1932 in Woodbrook, Port of Spain, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago. He died on 15 September 2010 in Hammersmith, London, England, UK.
- Franz Fridal was born on 25 January 1933 in Trinidad, British West Indies [now Trinidad and Tobago]. He is an actor, known for Sea of Love (1989) and Tiger Claws (1992).
- Writer
- Actor
- Composer
Christopher Wong Won (Fresh Kid Ice) is the first Asian American rapper, a Miami Bass pioneer, and a music producer. Born in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, he and his family moved to New York when he was 12. Upon graduating from high school, he joined the U.S. Air Force for a four-year stint. While stationed in Riverside, California, in 1984, he got together with fellow rapper Amazing Vee and Dj Mr. Mixx to form the rap group 2 Live Crew. That year they released their first single, "Revelation". It became popular in Florida and local promoter Luther Campbell invited them to perform. Around this time Amazing Vee left. For their next two singles, "What I Like" and "Throw the D" Fresh Kid Ice was the only MC featured. "Throw the D", released in 1986, is considered to be the blueprint of the Miami bass genre.
Luther Campbell and Brother Marquis joined the group and the four of them became its most well-known line-up. Their 1986 debut album, "2 Live Crew is what we are", is certified Gold. A year later, their second release "Move Somethin'" also went gold. In 1989, the group released, "As Nasty As They Wanna" Be, which also became the group's most successful album. A large part of its success was due to the single "Me So Horny". The album went Platinum. The American Family Association (AFA) did not think the presence of a "Parental Advisory" sticker was enough to adequately warn listeners of what was inside the case. Jack Thompson, a lawyer affiliated with the AFA, met with Florida Governor Bob Martinez and convinced him to look into the album to see if it met the legal classification of obscenity. Legal action was taken at the local level and Nick Navarro, Broward County sheriff, received a ruling from County Circuit Court and warned record store owners that selling the album might be prosecutable. As a result of the controversy, "As Nasty As They Wanna" sold over two million copies. It peaked at number 29 on the Billboard 200 and number 3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The original line-up would go on to make two more successful albums "Banned in the U.S.A." (1990), and "Sports Weekend: As Nasty as They Wanna Be, Pt. 2"(1991).
Fresh Kid Ice released his first solo album "The Chinaman" in 1992. The album sold over 200,000 copies. On the Billboard charts, the album peaked at No. 38 and stayed two weeks on the Heatseekers Albums chart and at No. 56 Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart for ten weeks. In 1994, with Luther Campbell and Verb (a new recruit), they formed The New 2 Live Crew and released the album ''Back at Your Ass for the Nine-4''. It is the sole release of that formation. The album peaked at #52 on the Billboard 200 and #9 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. In 1996, he returned to 2 Live Crew with Mr. Mixx and Brother Marquis to make "Shake a "Lil' Somethin'" who went to #145 on the Billboard 200 and #33 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. "The Real One" in 1998 is the final 2 Live Crew album. It peaked at #59 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. In 2000, he released his second solo album "Still Nasty" on his label Chinaman Records. In 2003, he followed up with "Stop Playin'". For his tours, he hired a then-unknown Flo Rida as a hype man, who was a featured guest in his fourth solo "Freaky Chinese" in 2004. In 2008, he reunited with Brother Marquis and restarted touring with the 2 Live Crew banner again. In 2014, the group announced their new album "Turn Me On" with guest stars Trick Daddy, Trina, Too Short, Insane Clown Posse, E-40, and Mannie Fresh. The album was never released and Wong Won continued touring with the 2 Live Crew until 2016.
Separately from his group Wong Won published his memoirs "My rise 2 fame" in 2015. After his departure from the group he released the compilation "Breaking Glass Ceilings Volume 1". Wong Won passed away in 2017 due to complicated health issues. He is the only 2 Live Crew member to appear on all of their releases, furthermore, he is the first Miami bass rapper and prominent Asian in hip-hop.- Gary Goodridge was born on 17 January 1966 in Trinidad and Tobago. He is an actor, known for Godzilla: Final Wars (2004), Gladiator Cop (1995) and The Hurt Business (2016).
- Actor
- Additional Crew
- Composer
Dancer, choreographer and actor Geoffrey Holder was born on August 1, 1930, in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, into a middle-class family. One of four children, he was taught painting and dancing by his older brother Boscoe Holder, whose dance troupe, the Holder Dance Company, the young Geoffrey joined when he was seven years old. Geoffrey assumed direction of the company in the late 1940s after Boscoe moved to London.
Holder moved to the US in 1954, two years after being "discovered" by Agnes de Mille, the choreographer daughter of director-producer Cecil B. DeMille, after she saw the Holder Dance Company perform in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. Holder, a talented painter, sold a score of his paintings to raise the funds to bring the Holder Dance Company to New York City in 1954 (in 1957 Holder won a Guggenheim Fellowship to study painting). He would appear with his dance company, now titled Geoffrey Holder and Company, in New York through 1960.
On December 30, 1954, Holder made his Broadway debut (as did Diahann Carroll) at the Alvin Theatre in the Caribbean-themed original musical "House of Flowers", with music by Harold Arlen, who also co-wrote the book with Truman Capote. The cast included Pearl Bailey and Alvin Ailey, and the show was directed by Peter Brook. Herbert Ross did the choreography but the "Banda Dance" was choreographed by Holder. The show ran for 165 total performances but, more importantly, Holder met and married fellow cast member 'Carmen DeLavallade', a dancer, and the two had a son together. From 1955 through 1956 Holder was a principal dancer with the Metropolitan Opera Ballet.
Holder played the role of Lucky in a revival of Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot" directed by Herbert Berghof on Broadway in January 1957. The all-black cast also included Geoff Searle as Vladimir, Rex Ingram as Pozzo and Mantan Moreland as Estragon. The show only lasted six performances, but it established Holder as an actor, and he made his film debut four years later in All Night Long (1962), a modern gloss on William Shakespeare's "Othello". His most famous role was as the heavy "Baron Samedi" in the James Bond movie Live and Let Die (1973), Roger Moore's first turn as 007.
Holder won the 1975 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical for his staging of the Broadway musical "The Wiz" (1975), the all-African American retelling of "The Wizard of Oz." He also won the Tony for best costume design (he would be nominated again for a Tony for best costume design for the original 1978 Broadway musical "Timbuktu!", which he also directed and choreographed). As a choreographer he has created dance pieces for many companies, including the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
Holder has written two books, one on folklore and one on Caribbean cuisine. In the 1970s and 1980s, he put his striking 6'6" presence and bass voice to good use hawking various products in TV commercials, including soft drinks.- Actor
- Writer
- Producer
Gerry Bednob was born on 10 June 1935 in Trinidad and Tobago. He is an actor and writer, known for The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005), Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2007) and Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008).- Producer
- Executive
- Writer
Gian Franco was born on 27 May 1983 in Diego Martin, Trinidad and Tobago. Gian is a producer and executive, known for Venus as a Boy (2021), Sojourn (2018) and Green Days by the River (2017).- Hasely Crawford was born on 16 August 1950 in Marabella, San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago.