About Geoffrey Holder
Geoffrey Lamont Holder (August 1, 1930 – October 5, 2014) was a Trinidadian-American actor, dancer, musician, director, choreographer, and artist. He was a principal dancer for the Metropolitan Opera Ballet, before his film career began in 1957 with an appearance in Carib Gold. For his theatre work, Holder won two Tony Awards: Best Direction of a Musical and Best Costume Design in a Musical for the original Broadway production of The Wiz. In 1973, Holder played the villainous Baron Samedi in the James Bond film Live and Let Die. He also appeared in such films as Doctor Dolittle (1967), Annie (1982), and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005). Holder was the voice of Ray the Sun on the children's television series Bear in the Big Blue House (1998–2002) while he also carried out advertising work as the pitchman for 7 Up. == Early life == Born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, on August 1, 1930, Holder was one of four children of Barbadian and Trinidadian descent born to Louise de Frense and Arthur Holder. He was educated at Tranquility School and Queen's Royal College in Port of Spain. Holder made his performance debut at age seven in his brother Boscoe Holder's dance company. == Career == After seeing Holder perform in St.
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