Choreographer Geoffrey Holder (1930-2014)

By: Anders Frejdh

Published:
2014-10-06

FSWL are saddened to report the passing of Geoffrey Holder, aged 84. Geoffrey played the part of Baron Samedi in Live and Let Die (1973). Our thoughts and prayers are with Geoffrey's family.

[Baron Samedi] - Good morning, boss.
[James Bond] - Morning.
[Samedi] It's sure gonna be a "beautiful" day. Yes, sir, a "beautiful" day!"

"Apart from being a nice man, a talented dancer and painter, I will always remember him for his kindness in taking me, knowing my love of jazz, to Minton's in Harlem and several other all night clubs where whitey was made welcome only because of my escort who was highly appreciated." - Guy Hamilton, director of Live and let Die

Geoffrey Holder obituary: (by Mark Cerulli for FSWL)
Sadly, yet another famous Bond alumni has passed. Less than a month after Richard Kiel’s sudden death, word reached us that actor, dancer, artist & choreographer Geoffrey Holder died at his New York home on 5th October 2014. Holder had a long and impressive resume, but Bond fans know him from his enigmatic portrayal of Baron Samedi in 1973’s Live And Let Die.

Originally from the Caribbean nation of Trinidad, the six foot six inch Holder moved to New York City in 1954, quickly finding work as a dancer for the Metropolitan Opera Ballet, which led to his being cast in “House of Flowers” on Broadway. Along with the first Roger Moore Bond, Holder also appeared in Doctor Doolittle (1967), Krakatoa: East of Java (1969) and 1982’s Annie. He also made numerous television appearances and won a prestigious Tony Award in 1975 for directing “The Wiz”, a popular Broadway musical based on “The Wizard of Oz.”

American audiences fondly remember his numerous television commercials for 7Up soda as he compared “Cola nut… UNcola nut” in his rich, mellifluous voice. That distinctive voice could also be heard narrating Tim Burton’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in 2005. Holder was also an accomplished artist who worked in paint, sculpture and photography, exhibiting at several top New York galleries. He was the author of two books, one of them on Caribbean cooking!

The multi-talented Holder was 84 and is survived by his wife Carmen de Lavallade and son Léo.

Geoffrey Holder's advice to young people:

Obituaries in the press:
>Broadway.com (October 6, 2014)
>Deadline Hollywood (October 6, 2014)
>Los Angeles Times (October 6, 2014)
>Mirror Online (October 6, 2014)
>The New York Times (October 6, 2014)

Photo above:
Geoffrey Holder with Jane Seymour in a publicity still for Live and Let Die. Photo by George Whitear. © 1973 Danjaq S.A. & United Artists Corporation. All rights reserved.

For more information about Geoffrey Holder's career, check out his IMDB profile:

www.imdb.com/name/nm0390305/

Tags:

#guy_hamilton

#in_memoriam

#news

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Choreographer Geoffrey Holder (1930-2014)

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