The Magistical
2008 · Movie
as Narrator
Geoffrey Holder
1930-08-01
•
Port-of-Spain, Trinidad
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. .
Filmography
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Carmen & Geoffrey
2005 · Movie
as Self
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
2005 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Bear in the Big Blue House LIVE! - Surprise Party
2002 · Movie
as Ray
Cyberchase
2002 · TV Show
as Master Pi (voice)
Goosed
1999 · Movie
as Dr. Bowman
Chance or Coincidence
1998 · Movie
as Gerry
Bear in the Big Blue House
1997 · TV Show
as Ray the Sun
Going, Going, Almost Gone! Animals in Danger
1995 · Movie
Tropical Rainforest
1992 · Movie
as Narrator
Boomerang
1992 · Movie
as Nelson
Night of 100 Stars III
1990 · Movie
as Self
Ghost of a Chance
1987 · Movie
as Johnson
John Grin's Christmas
1986 · Movie
as Ghost of Christmas Future
Night of 100 Stars II
1985 · Movie
as Self
Alice in Wonderland
1983 · Movie
as Cheshire Cat
Annie
1982 · Movie
as Punjab
All by Myself: The Eartha Kitt Story
1982 · Movie
as Self
Lights! Camera! Annie! The Making of a Major Hollywood Musical
1982 · Movie
as Self / Punjab
The Gold Bug
1980 · Movie
as Jupiter
Swashbuckler
1976 · Movie
as Cudjo
The Noah
1975 · Movie
as Friday
Goggles!
1974 · Movie
as (voice)
Live and Let Die
1973 · Movie
as Baron Samedi
Bond 1973: The Lost Documentary
1973 · Movie
as Self
The Man Without a Country
1973 · Movie
as Slave on Ship
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex *But Were Afraid to Ask
1972 · Movie
as Sorcerer
Great Performances
1971 · TV Show
as Cheshire Cat
Krakatoa, East of Java
1969 · Movie
as Sailor
Doctor Dolittle
1967 · Movie
as William Shakespeare X
Androcles and the Lion
1967 · Movie
as Lion
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1962 · TV Show
as Self
Aladdin
1958 · Movie
as Genie
DuPont Show of the Month
1957 · TV Show
as Genie
Carib Gold
1956 · Movie
as Voo Doo Dancer
