Geoffrey Holder
Born
August 1, 1930
Died
October 5, 2014 (84 years old)
Known For
Acting
Place of Birth
Port-of-Spain, Trinidad
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 Magistical
Narrator
2008

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Narrator (voice)
2005
Carmen & Geoffrey
Self
2005

Bear in the Big Blue House LIVE! - Surprise Party
Ray
2002

Cyberchase
Master Pi (voice) · (1 episode)
2002

Goosed
Dr. Bowman
1999

Chance or Coincidence
Gerry
1998

Bear in the Big Blue House
Ray the Sun · (117 episodes)
1997

Going, Going, Almost Gone! Animals in Danger
1995

Boomerang
Nelson
1992

Tropical Rainforest
Narrator
1992

Paris Is Burning
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
1991

Night of 100 Stars III
Self
1990

Ghost of a Chance
Johnson
1987

Christmas
Ghost of Christmas Future
1986

Night of 100 Stars II
Self
1985

Alice in Wonderland
Cheshire Cat
1983

All By Myself: The Eartha Kitt Story
Self
1982

Annie
Punjab
1982

Lights! Camera! Annie! The Making of a Major Hollywood Musical
Self / Punjab
1982

The Gold Bug
Jupiter
1980

Swashbuckler
Cudjo
1976

The Noah
Friday
1975

Goggles!
(voice)
1974

Live and Let Die
Baron Samedi
1973

Bond 1973: The Lost Documentary
Self
1973

The Man Without a Country
Slave on Ship
1973

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex *But Were Afraid to Ask
Sorcerer
1972

Great Performances
Cheshire Cat · (1 episode)
1971

Krakatoa, East of Java
Sailor
1968

Doctor Dolittle
William Shakespeare X
1967

Androcles and the Lion
Lion
1967

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Self · (2 episodes)
1962

Aladdin
Genie
1958

DuPont Show of the Month
Genie · (1 episode)
1957

Carib Gold
Voo Doo Dancer
1956