Geoffrey Holder

Biography

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. .

Known For

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

Great Performances

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Cyberchase

Bear in the Big Blue House

DuPont Show of the Month

Live and Let Die

Annie

All Movies (30)

• The Magistical2008 · as Narrator
• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory2005 · as Narrator (voice)
• Carmen & Geoffrey2005 · as Self
• Bear in the Big Blue House LIVE! - Surprise Party2002 · as Ray
• Goosed1999 · as Dr. Bowman
• Chance or Coincidence1998 · as Gerry
• Going, Going, Almost Gone! Animals in Danger1995
• Boomerang1992 · as Nelson
• Tropical Rainforest1992 · as Narrator
• Night of 100 Stars III1990 · as Self
• Ghost of a Chance1987 · as Johnson
• John Grin's Christmas1986 · as Ghost of Christmas Future
• Night of 100 Stars II1985 · as Self
• Alice in Wonderland1983 · as Cheshire Cat
• All by Myself: The Eartha Kitt Story1982 · as Self
• Annie1982 · as Punjab
• Lights! Camera! Annie! The Making of a Major Hollywood Musical1982 · as Self / Punjab
• The Gold Bug1980 · as Jupiter
• Swashbuckler1976 · as Cudjo
• The Noah1975 · as Friday
• Goggles!1974 · as (voice)
• Live and Let Die1973 · as Baron Samedi
• Bond 1973: The Lost Documentary1973 · as Self
• The Man Without a Country1973 · as Slave on Ship
• Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex *But Were Afraid to Ask1972 · as Sorcerer
• Krakatoa, East of Java1969 · as Sailor
• Doctor Dolittle1967 · as William Shakespeare X
• Androcles and the Lion1967 · as Lion
• Aladdin1958 · as Genie
• Carib Gold1956 · as Voo Doo Dancer

All TV Shows (5)

• Cyberchase2002 · as Master Pi (voice)
• Bear in the Big Blue House1997 · as Ray the Sun
• Great Performances1971 · as Cheshire Cat
• The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson1962 · as Self
• DuPont Show of the Month1957 · as Genie