Paul Harris

Paul Harris (September 15, 1917 – August 25, 1985) was an American actor. He had roles in films such as All Night Long, Across 110th Street, The Slams, and Truck Turner.

Background Harris was born and raised in Pasadena, California. At the age of sixteen, he became interested in entertainment and the theatrical world. He decided to study professionally at the Hebert Wall School of Music and The Actors Laboratory, both in Hollywood. He was chosen to study and appear in plays at the Pasadena Community Playhouse.

He became one of the first known black actors and singers, appearing with such renowned organizations as the “George Garner Community Sing Association”, “The DePaur Infantry Chorus”, which took him to New York where he studied at the American Theatre Wing. Harris traveled the U.S. with the touring company of the Broadway hit Show Boat for over a year. He also traveled the world with George Gershwin's company of Porgy & Bess which was supported by the United States and sponsored by the State Department. This exposure propelled him to become involved in theatrical enterprises in such European countries as England, Italy, France, and Germany.

Harris at one time was engaged to Danish model Maud Berthelsen, who later became an actress.

Harris died of cancer in Los Angeles, California, on 25 August 1985.

Career

Stage Harris was a singer, stage, film and television actor. He had appeared on Broadway and had been part of international theater tours. In 1949, he played the part of the doorman in the musical comedy Show Boat which was playing at Los Angeles's Greek Theater. The following month he was in the musical Annie, Get Your Gun as Major Domo.

Film and television In the late 1950s, looking for work, he left the United States for Europe. He came to Paris with the cast of Free and Easy. In England he secured a starring role in the 1962 film All Night Long. In it he played piano player Aurelius Rex, an Othello-like character plotted against by his devious and sinister drummer Johnny Cousin, played by Patrick McGoohan. He is almost driven into an act of violence against his partner, singer Delia, played by Marti Stevens. In 1966, he had a part in an episode of The Baron which starred Steve Forrest, episode: There's Someone Close Behind You as Wayne. In 1974, he had a role in the film Truck Turner that starred Isaac Hayes. He played the part of a mean and ruthless pimp, Gator Johnson. In 1974, Harris got a leading role as Pasha in the low-budget film Jive Turkey aka Baby Needs a New Pair of Shoes. The film also starred Frank deKova.

Stage and musical appearances + Plays and musicals Title Role # Director Venue Year Notes # Show Boat Doorman Edward Reveaux Greek Theater, Los Angeles 1949 Opened July 4 Annie, Get Your Gun Major Domo Edward Reveaux Greek Theater, Los Angeles 1949 Opened July 4 Blues Opera / Free And Easy Robert Breen Carré Theater, Amsterdam 1959 Produced at the Carré Theater, Amsterdam, December 17, 1959, to its close atthe Alhambra, Paris, January 15, 1960

Filmography

+ Film Title Role Director Year Notes # All Night Long Aurelius Rex Basil Dearden 1962 Central role For Love of Ivy Dealer Daniel Mann 1968 Star! Soldier Robert Wise 1968 Uncredited Across 110th Street Mr. C Barry Shear 1972 The Mack Blind Man Michael Campus 1973 The Slams Jackson Barney Jonathan Kaplan 1973 as Paul E. Harris Truck Turner Richard Leroy 'Gator' Johnson Jonathan Kaplan 1974 Uptown Saturday NightPolice officerSidney Poitier1974Uncredited Baby Needs a New Pair of Shoes Pasha Bill Brame 1974 Main starring role. Film aka Jive Turkey Let's Do It Again Jody Tipps Sidney Poitier 1975 as Paul E. Harris Donny's House Michael Albanese 1987 TV movie, (final film role)

+ Television Title Episode # Role Director Year Notes # The Baron There's Someone Close Behind You Wayne Roy Ward Baker 1966 Season 1, Episode 14 The Silent Force In by Nine, Out by Five Saul 1970 Season 1, Episode 9 Sanford and Son Fred, the Reluctant Fingerman Daniel Tracy Jack Shea 1973 Season 3, Episode 3. Uncredited role Sanford and Son The Oddfather Daniel Tracy James Sheldon 1976 Season 5, Episode 13 Sanford Freeway Corban Hills Man #1 Jim Drake 1981