# Paul Harris (actor)

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. She was nominated for best supporting actress in the film Epilogue.
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 the part of piano player Aurelius Rex in an Othello-like role who becomes victim of the devious and sinister motivated actions by his 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 at the 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 Night | Police officer | Sidney Poitier | 1974 | Uncredited |
| 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 | |