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Arthur French (actor)

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Arthur French
Born
Arthur Wellesley French Jr.

(1931-11-06)November 6, 1931
New York City, U.S.
DiedJuly 24, 2021(2021-07-24) (aged 89)
New York City, U.S.
Occupation(s)Actor, director
Years active1960s–2021
SpouseAntoinette Williams[1]
Children2

Arthur Wellesley French Jr.[1] (November 6, 1931 – July 24, 2021) was an American actor and director, best known for his work in the theatre.

Life and career

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French was born in Harlem, New York City, on November 6, 1931,[1] the son of Arthur and Ursilla French, who both emigrated to the U.S. from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.[2][3]

Throughout a career that spans over fifty years, French is best known for his work on the stage. He worked extensively with the Negro Ensemble Company (NEC) and has played a wide variety of roles. He was also a supporting character in the 1976 comedy film Car Wash.[citation needed]

His later film credits were in 2 Days in New York and Red Hook Summer, both released in August 2012. He died on July 24, 2021, at the age of 89 in Manhattan, New York.[1]

Selected credits

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Theatre

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Acting

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Year Production Role Theatre(s) Notes
1962 Raisin' Hell in the Son Provincetown Playhouse
1969 Ceremonies in Dark Old Men[4] William Jenkins St. Mark's Playhouse
1971 Black Girl[5] Earl Theatre de Lys
1971 Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death[1] Ethel Barrymore Theatre
1978 Nevis Mountain Dew[6] Ayton Morris St. Mark's Playhouse
1981 The Amen Corner Brother Boxer Crossroads Theater Company
1983 You Can't Take It With You[7] Donald Plymouth Theatre
Royale Theatre
1991 Mule Bone[8] Rev. Singletary
Mayor Joe Clark (understudy)
Ethel Barrymore Theatre
1995 Henry VI[9] Earl of Salisbury Theater at St. Clements Church
2001 Fire Drill Carl Urban Stages Part of "Free Market," a collection of eight short plays.
Kickin Summit Ski Urban Stages Part of "Free Market," a collection of eight short plays.
Give Us This Day Dad Urban Stages Part of "Free Market," a collection of eight short plays.
The Border Crossers Lounge Mother Perez Urban Stages Part of "Free Market," a collection of eight short plays.
2005 The Master Builder[10] Doctor Herdal Pearl Theatre
2006 Two Trains Running[11] Holloway Peter Norton Space Lucille Lortel Award, Outstanding Featured Actor
2007 Dividing the Estate[12] Doug 59E59 Theater A
2009 Medea The Riverside Theatre
The Book of Lambert La MaMa etc.
Dividing the Estate Doug Hartford Stage

Directing

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Year Production Theatre(s) Notes
1967 One Last Look[13] Old Reliable Theatre Tavern One of the first produced plays written by steve carter

Film

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Acting

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Year Title Role
1976 Car Wash Charlie
1986 'Round Midnight Booker
1992 Malcolm X[1] Pullman Porter
1994 Crooklyn West Indian Store Manager
2012 Where is Joel Baum? Detective Robertson
2013 2 Days in New York Lee Robinson
Movie 43 Old Man
2014 God's Pocket Lucien "Old Lucy" Edwards

Television

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Acting

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Year Title Role Notes
1986–1987 Another World Al Edwards 2 episodes
2018 New Amsterdam Brent Season 1, Episode 15

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Roberts, Sam (August 5, 2021). "Arthur French, Negro Ensemble Company Pioneer, Dies at 89". The New York Times. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  2. ^ "United States Census, 1940, index and images, Arthur Franch in household of Arthur Franch, Assembly District 22, Manhattan, New York City, New York, New York, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 31-1938, sheet 13A, family 323, NARA digital publication T627, roll 2671". United States: FamilySearch. April 15, 1940. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  3. ^ "U.S. Public Records Index, Volume 2 [database on-line]". Provo, Utah: The Generations Network. 2010. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  4. ^ "Ceremonies in Dark Old Men". New York, New York: Lortel Archives: The Internet Off-Broadway Database. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved November 25, 2009.
  5. ^ "Black Girl". New York, New York: Lortel Archives: The Internet Off-Broadway Database. Archived from the original on October 12, 2007. Retrieved December 4, 2009.
  6. ^ "Nevis Mountain Dew". New York, New York: Lortel Archives: The Internet Off-Broadway Database. Archived from the original on September 13, 2007. Retrieved November 25, 2009.
  7. ^ "You Can't Take It With You". New York, New York: Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved December 4, 2009.
  8. ^ "Mule Bone". New York, New York: Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved December 4, 2009.
  9. ^ "Henry VI". New York, New York: Lortel Archives:The Internet off-Broadway Database. Archived from the original on October 7, 2012. Retrieved December 5, 2009.
  10. ^ "The Master Builder". New York, New York: Lortel Archives:The Internet off-Broadway Database. Archived from the original on September 11, 2007. Retrieved December 5, 2009.
  11. ^ "Two Trains Running". United States: Lortel Archives:The Internet off-Broadway Database. Archived from the original on October 19, 2007. Retrieved December 4, 2009.
  12. ^ "Dividing the Estate". United States: Lortel Archives:The Internet off-Broadway Database. Archived from the original on September 8, 2007. Retrieved December 5, 2009.
  13. ^ Carter, Steve (1986). Plays by Steve Carter (First ed.). New York, New York: Broadway Play Publishing, Inc. pp. 81–104. ISBN 0-88145-043-X.
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