Hal DeWindt facts for kids

Harold "Hal" DeWindt was an American producer, director, actor, and model. He worked hard to create more chances for African Americans in the arts. He helped many Black artists find their way in theater, film, and music.

Early Life and Beginnings

Hal DeWindt grew up in Harlem, a famous neighborhood in New York City. His father, Clifford, was also an actor. He performed with the original Lafayette Theatre.

In 1959, DeWindt made history. He became the very first male model for the Ebony Fashion Fair. This was a big fashion show that traveled around. He toured with them for two years.

A Career in Theater

DeWindt started his acting career on Broadway. He was in the play Golden Boy. He also had a main role in the play Entertain A Ghost. Later, he appeared in the musical Lost in the Stars.

In 1962, DeWindt helped create an Off-Broadway show. It was called Raisin' Hell in the Son. This play was a funny version of the famous play A Raisin in the Sun. He wrote it with Reni Santoni.

DeWindt worked for seven years at the New York Shakespeare Festival. He was the production stage manager there. This means he helped make sure everything ran smoothly behind the scenes.

He also directed for Robert Hooks's Group Theater Workshop. This group later became the Negro Ensemble Company. DeWindt was a workshop director for this important company.

Leading Theater Companies

Hal DeWindt was a leader in the theater world. He founded the American Theatre of Harlem. He was also the artistic director for the Inner City Repertory Company in Los Angeles. In 1977, he started his own theater in San Francisco, called the Hal DeWindt Theatre.

Helping Other Artists

DeWindt helped many people achieve their dreams. He helped Arthur Mitchell bring the Dance Theatre of Harlem to Broadway. He also helped Leonard Bernstein bring Black musicians into the New York Philharmonic orchestra.

In 1969, DeWindt worked on the film The Angel Levine. He was an assistant producer. He also helped manage a program that taught Black apprentices about filmmaking. This program was supported by a grant from the Ford Foundation.

DeWindt worked on many other films and TV shows. He also led acting workshops, teaching others how to act. He even acted in some television shows himself.

In 1983, DeWindt co-wrote a book. It was called Kill, Bubba, Kill!. He wrote it with Bubba Smith, a former NFL player and actor. At the time of his death, DeWindt was teaching acting at Loyola Marymount University.

Personal Life

Hal DeWindt had a son, Hal D. Jr., born in 1958. He met actress Sheila Wills in 1975. They married two years later but later divorced in 1981. He then married actress and model Angelique in 1984. He later married another woman named Suzanne.

Hal DeWindt passed away from cancer in Los Angeles on June 22, 1997. He was 63 years old.

Film and TV Work

Hal DeWindt worked on several films and television shows.