Rupert Crosse

Rupert Crosse (November 29, 1927 – March 5, 1973) was an American television and film actor noted as the first African American to receive a nomination for a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award — for his role in the 1969 adaptation of William Faulkner's The Reivers.

Early life Born Robert A. Crosse, Jr. in New York City, Crosse was raised by his grandparents in Nevis after the death of his father. He returned to the United States to serve in the Army for two years before entering Bloomfield College. Crosse later worked at Brooklyn College as a counselor.

Career After studying acting under John Cassavetes, Crosse appeared in two of Cassavetes' films: Shadows (for which he won a Venice Film Festival Award) and Too Late Blues (1962).

A life member of The Actors Studio, Crosse made numerous guest appearances on television in the decade prior to landing the role of Ned McCaslin in the 1969 film The Reivers, directed by and starring fellow Studio members Mark Rydell and Steve McQueen, respectively. His last onscreen role was in the sitcom The Partners, alongside Don Adams. Shortly before his death, Crosse was cast as Mulhall in The Last Detail (1973), withdrawing from the role after learning he suffered from terminal cancer. He was replaced by Otis Young.

Personal life In 1970, Crosse married singer Chris Calloway, daughter of Cab Calloway. They had one son, Rupert Osaze Dia Crosse, who was nine months old at the time of Crosse's death. Their son died in 2002 from a heart condition brought on by prior drug abuse. Calloway died of breast cancer in August 2008.

Death Crosse died March 5, 1973, of lung cancer in Nevis, West Indies.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes 1959 Shadows Rupert 1959 Johnny Staccato Redtop Episode: "Collector's Item" 1961 Rawhide Trooper S3:E10; "Incident of the Buffalo Soldier" 1961 Have Gun – Will Travel Aaron Jedediah Gibbs Episode: "The Hanging of Aaron Gibbs" 1961 Too Late Blues Baby Jackson 1962 Sam Benedict Moffat Episode: "Nor Practice Make Perfect" 1962 The Lloyd Bridges Show Butler Episode: "Gentleman in Blue" 1962 The Dick Powell Show Episode: "Borderline" 1963 The Alfred Hitchcock Hour Dr. Paul Mackey S1:E22; "Diagnosis: Danger" 1963 Twilight of Honor Jailer's assistant Uncredited 1963 The Great Adventure William Still Episode: "Go Down, Moses" 1963–1964 Ben Casey George 2 episodes 1964 The Best Man Reporter Uncredited 1964 Marnie Office worker Uncredited 1964–1966 The Man from U.N.C.L.E. General Molte NobukCorporal Remy 2 episodes 1965 Wild Seed Hobo Alternative title: Fargo 1965 The Wackiest Ship in the Army Episode: "The Lady and the Luluai" 1966 Dr. Kildare George Parker 2 episodes 1966 That Girl Police officer Episode: "I'll Be Suing You" 1966 Daktari Kukuia Episode: "The Test" 1966 Ride in the Whirlwind Indian Joe 1966 Run for Your Life Hotel Clerk Episode: "The Treasure Seekers" 1966 The Girl from U.N.C.L.E. Tchelba Episode: "The Jewels of Topango Affair" 1967 CBS Playhouse Funeral director Episode: "The Final War of Olly Winter" by Ronald Ribman 1967 I Spy Chester Episode: "Cops and Robbers" 1967 Cowboy in Africa Jama Episode: "Incident at Derati Wells" 1967 Waterhole#3 Prince 1967 The Monkees Thursday S2:E8; "Monkees Marooned" 1968 Felony Squad Ray Hawkins 2 episodes 1969 The Reivers Ned McCaslin Nominated: Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor 1970 Bonanza Davis Episode: "The Power of Life and Death" 1970 Storefront Lawyers Johnson Episode: "The Emancipation of Bessie Gray" 1970 The Bill Cosby Show Felix E. LeBlanc Episode: "The Lincoln Letter" 1970 Bracken's World Freddy Webster, Sr. Episode: "Will Freddy's Real Father Please Stand Up?" 1971 Confessions of a Top Crime Buster Detective George Robinson Television pilot for The Partners 1972 Mission: Impossible Episode: "Kidnap" 1971–1972 The Partners Detective George Robinson 20 episodes (final appearance)