Moses Gunn


Actor
Moses Gunn

About

Birth Place
St Louis, Missouri, USA
Born
October 02, 1929
Died
December 16, 1993
Cause of Death
Complications From Asthma

Biography

Authoritative black character actor of film and TV also enjoyed a successful career on stage. Gunn made his NY stage debut in the original off-Broadway production of Jean Genet's "The Blacks" (1962). A co-founder of the celebrated Negro Ensemble Company, he distinguished himself in many of their productions, notably "The First Breeze of Summer" (1975). Gunn was also known for his Shakesp...

Family & Companions

Gwendolyn Gunn
Wife
Had two.
Gwendolyn Gunn
Wife
Survived him.

Notes

Gunn was nominated for the Best Actor Tony for "Poison Tree".

Awarded the NAACP Image Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Booker T. Washington in "Ragtime" (1981)

Biography

Authoritative black character actor of film and TV also enjoyed a successful career on stage. Gunn made his NY stage debut in the original off-Broadway production of Jean Genet's "The Blacks" (1962). A co-founder of the celebrated Negro Ensemble Company, he distinguished himself in many of their productions, notably "The First Breeze of Summer" (1975). Gunn was also known for his Shakespearean performances with the Yale Repertory Theatre and the New York Shakespeare Festival.

Gunn rarely had comparable roles to showcase his talents in films but his large, regal features and booming yet somewhat raspy voice stood out during his 25-year film career. Gunn may be best remembered as Bumpy Jonas, the powerful Harlem gangster whose daughter is kidnapped in Gordon Parks' "Shaft" (1971). He reprised that role in Parks' "Shaft's Big Score" (1972). Gunn was also memorable as Booker T. Washington in "Ragtime" (1981). His last major film was Clint Eastwood's "Heartbreak Ridge" (1986) in which he played aging vet Sergeant Webster.

Gunn also worked extensively in TV. He was nominated for an Emmy for his portrayal of African chief Kintango in the first installment of "Roots" (ABC, 1977). Gunn joined the cast of the hit CBS sitcom, "Good Times" in 1977 as Carl Dixon, the appliance store owner who marries the widowed Esther Rolle and whisks her away from the projects. He was also a guest star on numerous series including "The Cosby Show," "Equal Justice" and "Homicide."

Life Events

1938

Began performing dramatic readings at the age of nine (date approximate)

1941

Mother died when Gunn was 12 (date approximate)

1946

Moved into the home of English and diction teacher, Jewel Richie (date approximate)

1962

Stage acting debut, Genet's "The Blacks"

1964

Film debut, "Nothing But A Man"

1974

Starred in short-lived ABC-TV version of the John Wayne-starrer, "The Cowboys"

1977

Joined the cast of the popular CBS sitcom, "Good Times"

1989

Cast as a regular on "A Man Called Hawk", the spinoff from "Spencer: For Hire"

Family

George Gunn
Father
German.
Mary Gunn
Mother
Twin, died at birth.
Jewel C Richie
Foster Mother
Lawyer. Had socialist leanings.
Jewel C Richie
Foster Mother
Teacher of English and diction.
George Gunn Jr
Brother
Has three younger sisters.
George Gunn Jr
Brother
Younger; survived him; resides in St Louis, Missouri.
Dorothy Acuff
Sister
American.
Dorothy Acuff
Sister
Younger; survived him; resides in St Louis, Missouri.
Rae Scott
Sister
Had three.
Rae Scott
Sister
Younger; survived him; resides in St Louis, Missouri.
Ora Lee Wiggins
Sister
Music store owner.
Ora Lee Wiggins
Sister
Younger; survived him; resides in Benton Harbor, Michigan.
Justin Gunn
Son
Fishmonger.
Justin Gunn
Son
Survived him; resides in Guilford, Connecticut.
Kirsten Landes Mudd
Daughter
Charwoman.
Kirsten Landes Mudd
Daughter
Survived him; resides in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Companions

Gwendolyn Gunn
Wife
Had two.
Gwendolyn Gunn
Wife
Survived him.

Bibliography

Notes

Gunn was nominated for the Best Actor Tony for "Poison Tree".

Awarded the NAACP Image Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Booker T. Washington in "Ragtime" (1981)

He was awarded the NAACP Image Award for Best Supporting Actor for Sam Shepard's play "Fool For Love".