Duane Jones

Duane Lionel Jones (April 11, 1937 – July 22, 1988) was an American actor. He was best known for his lead role as Ben in the 1968 horror film Night of the Living Dead. He was later director of the Maguire Theater at the State University of New York at Old Westbury, and the artistic director of the Richard Allen Center for Culture and Art in Manhattan.

Early life and education Jones was born in New York City to Mildred Jones (née Gordon). He had a sister, Marva (later Marva Brooks), and a brother, Henry. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a B.A. and studied at the Sorbonne in Paris, before training as an actor in New York City. He later completed an M.A. in Communications at New York University in between shooting Night of the Living Dead.

Prior to becoming an actor, Jones was a Phelps-Stokes exchange scholar in Niger and taught literature at Long Island University. He created English-language training programs for the Peace Corps and helped design Harlem Preparatory School, where he headed the English department.

Jones continued working in film after Night of the Living Dead in Ganja & Hess (1973), Losing Ground (1982), and Beat Street (1984), among others.

Legacy The Duane L. Jones Recital Hall at the State University of New York at Old Westbury is named after him.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes 1968 Night of the Living Dead Ben 1973 Ganja & Hess Doctor Hess Green Also released as Blood Couple 1982 Losing Ground Duke 1984 Beat Street Robert 1986 Vampires Charles Harmon1988 To Die For Simon Little Posthumously released NegativesCharles Harmon Archive footage from Vampires 1989 Fright House Archive footage from Vampires; Segment: "Abadon"Final film role