Leon Isaac Kennedy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leon Isaac Kennedy
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Kennedy in 2015
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| Born | January 1, 1949 Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
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| Nationality | American |
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| Years active | 1970– present |
| Known for | Martel "Too Sweet" Gordone – Penitentiary, Penitentiary II, Penitentiary III Leon "The Lover" Johnson – Body and Soul |
| Spouse(s) |
Lolita Armbrister
(m. 1995)Maureen LaVette
(m. 2005) |
Leon Isaac Kennedy, born on January 1, 1949, is an American actor, film producer, and former disc jockey. He is well-known for playing Martel "Too Sweet" Gordone in the "Penitentiary" movie series. He also starred as Leon "The Lover" Johnson in the 1981 film Body and Soul alongside his former wife, Jayne Kennedy.
Contents
Leon Isaac Kennedy's Career
Early Life and Start in Entertainment
Leon Isaac Kennedy was born in Cleveland, Ohio. He began his career as a disc jockey, also known as a DJ, and helped promote nightclubs. In June 1971, he moved to Los Angeles, California, to further his career. There, he became a DJ for a rock music radio station and helped organize a variety show.
Acting Roles in Movies
Kennedy started acting in films in the 1970s. In 1972, he appeared in the action movie Hammer. He later appeared in another film, Mean Johnny Barrows, in 1976. In 1978, he acted in the movie Death Force with Jayne Kennedy.
One of his most famous roles was Martel "Too Sweet" Gordone in the movie Penitentiary, which came out in 1979. He continued this role in the sequels Penitentiary II (1982) and Penitentiary III (1987).
In 1981, Kennedy wrote and starred in the film Body and Soul. In this movie, he played Leon Johnson, a talented young boxer. The film was a new version of an older movie from 1947.
Kennedy also played FBI Agent Marcus Jackson in the 1983 film Lone Wolf McQuade. In 1988, he appeared in the movie Skeleton Coast with several other well-known actors. Later, in 1991, he had a part in an episode of the TV series Against the Law, where he played a character named Spider.
Personal Life
Leon Isaac Kennedy has been married three times. He married Jayne Harrison in June 1971, and they separated in 1982. In 1995, he married Lolita Armbrister. In August 2005, he married actress Maureen LaVette. In the early 1990s, Kennedy became a Christian evangelist, sharing his faith with others.
