Graham Brown (October 24, 1924 – December 13, 2011) was an American actor known for his work in theatre.
Life and career He was born Robert E. Brown in New York, New York, and was a one-time boxer. He attended Howard University, where he earned a BA in theater. He also studied method acting at the Actors Studio in New York. He began his career as a Shakespearean actor at Guthrie Theater, where he appeared in productions such as Hamlet and Richard III. Brown was an original member of Negro Ensemble Company (NEC) and played in many NEC productions, including Malcochon by Derek Walcott, Ceremonies in Dark Old Men by Lonne Elder III, and District Line and The River Niger by Joseph A Walker. He was part of the original cast of controversial play Song of the Lusitanian Bogey by Peter Weiss, which toured Europe and was subject to a riot in a London theatre in August 1968. Graham Brown was often cast as professional and/or highly educated people such as doctors and clergymen.
One of his best remembered roles was as Jared Philibert, the 50-year-old patriarch of a Caribbean-American family in Steve Carter's critically acclaimed play Nevis Mountain Dew. He originated the role in NEC's Off-Broadway production and reprised the role in the West Coast premiere of the play. For the latter he received a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for his performance.
Brown died on December 13, 2011, of pulmonary failure at the Lillian Booth Actors' Fund Nursing Home.
Selected credits
Theatre Year Production Role Theatre(s) Notes1963HamletHoratioMinnesota Theater Company1968WeekendDr. HamptonBroadhurst TheatreThe Man in the Glass BoothSam Royale Theatre 1971Behold! Cometh the VanderkellansDr. VanderkellansTheatre de Lys1972The River Niger Dr. Dudley StantonSt. Mark's PlayhouseBrooks Atkinson TheatreOriginally an Off-Broadway production that was transferred to Broadway.1975Black Picture Show NormanVivian Beaumont Theater1976EdenJoseph BartonSt. Mark's PlayhouseTheatre de LysTransferred to Theatre de Lys on May 14, 1976.KingsTiresias in "Oedipus"Alvin Theatre1978Nevis Mountain DewJared PhilibertSt. Mark's Playhouse1980Lagrima del DiabloArchbishop Stephen Emmanuel PontiflaxSt. Mark's Playhouse1981Nevis Mountain DewJared PhilibertLos Angeles Actors TheatreLos Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award, Lead Performance1985Ceremonies in Dark Old MenWilliam JenkinsTheatre Four1989The Talented TenthFather/Sam GriggsManhattan Theatre Club Stage I
Film Year Title Role Notes1984The Muppets Take ManhattanMr. Wrightson1989Bloodhounds of BroadwayDr. Frischer1992Malcolm X Dr. Payson1994Blues in C Bucky WebbShort1995ClockersMr. Herman Brown
Television YearTitleRoleNotes1968N.Y.P.DEpisode: "Deadly Circle of Violence"1970Days of Our LivesJeffrey Jones1972IronsideTomEpisode: "The Countdown"1974Sanford and SonPrincipalEpisode: "Julio and Sister and Nephew"1978Police StoryEustic McCoyEpisode: "Day of Terror...Night of Fear"1982Lou GrantPrice McCannEpisode: "Blacklist"1982Cagney and LaceyDr. NorellEpisode: "Suffer the Children"1983One Life Left to LiveGaston DupreeEpisode: "1.3814"1985All My ChildrenProfessor LakelandEpisode: "1.3895"1990-1993Law and OrderAppellate Judge Barry Marshall / Appellate Judge Barry Marton / Minister3 episodes
References
External links
Graham Brown at the Internet Theatre Database Graham Brown Papers at Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library