Rupert Crosse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rupert Crosse
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Crosse (center) with Bill Cosby and Beah Richards on The Bill Cosby Show, 1970
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| Born | November 29, 1927 New York City, U.S.
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| Died | March 5, 1973 (aged 45) |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Bloomfield College |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1959–1972 |
| Spouse(s) |
Chris Calloway
(m. 1970–1973) |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives | Cab Calloway (father-in-law) |
Rupert Crosse (born November 29, 1927 – died March 5, 1973) was an American actor. He was known for his work in television and movies.
Rupert Crosse made history as the first African American actor to be nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award. This nomination was for his role in the 1969 movie The Reivers.
Early Life and Family
Rupert Crosse was born Robert A. Crosse, Jr. in New York City. After his father passed away, his grandparents raised him in Nevis. Nevis is an island in the Caribbean.
He later returned to the United States. He served in the Army for two years. After his time in the Army, he went to Bloomfield College. Crosse also worked as a counselor at Brooklyn College.
In 1970, Rupert Crosse married singer Chris Calloway. Chris was the daughter of the famous musician Cab Calloway. They had one son named Rupert Osaze Dia Crosse. Rupert Crosse passed away on March 5, 1973, in Nevis. He died from lung cancer.
Acting Career
Rupert Crosse studied acting with the director John Cassavetes. He appeared in two of Cassavetes' films. These were Shadows (1959) and Too Late Blues (1962). For Shadows, he won an award at the Venice Film Festival.
Crosse was a member of The Actors Studio, a famous acting school. Before his big movie role, he appeared in many TV shows. His most famous role was Ned McCaslin in the 1969 film The Reivers. In this movie, he acted alongside Steve McQueen. His performance earned him an Academy Award nomination.
His last role on screen was in the TV show The Partners. He was cast in the movie The Last Detail (1973). However, he had to leave the role due to a serious illness.
Film and Television Roles
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Shadows | Rupert | |
| 1959 | Johnny Staccato | Redtop | Episode: "Collector's Item" |
| 1961 | Rawhide | A Trooper | Episode: "Incident of the Buffalo Soldier" |
| 1961 | Have Gun – Will Travel | Aaron Jedediah Gibbs | Episode: "The Hanging of Aaron Gibbs" |
| 1961 | Too Late Blues | Baby Jackson | |
| 1962 | The Dick Powell Show | Episode: "Borderline" | |
| 1963 | Alfred Hitchcock Presents | Dr. Paul Mackey | Episode: "Diagnosis: Danger" |
| 1963 | Twilight of Honor | Jailer's assistant | Uncredited |
| 1963 | The Great Adventure | William Still | Episode: "Go Down, Moses" |
| 1963–1964 | Ben Casey | George | 2 episodes |
| 1964 | The Best Man | Reporter | Uncredited |
| 1964 | Marnie | Office worker | Uncredited |
| 1964–1966 | The Man from U.N.C.L.E. | General Molte Nobuk Corporal Remy |
2 episodes |
| 1965 | Wild Seed | Hobo | Alternative title: Fargo |
| 1965 | The Wackiest Ship in the Army | Episode: "The Lady and the Luluai" | |
| 1966 | Dr. Kildare | George Parker | 2 episodes |
| 1966 | That Girl | Police officer | Episode: "I'll Be Suing You" |
| 1966 | Daktari | Kukuia | Episode: "The Test" |
| 1966 | Ride in the Whirlwind | Indian Joe | |
| 1966 | Run for Your Life | Hotel Clerk | Episode: "The Treasure Seekers" |
| 1966 | The Girl from U.N.C.L.E. | Tchelba | Episode: "The Jewels of Topango Affair" |
| 1967 | CBS Playhouse | Funeral director | Episode: "The Final War of Olly Winter" |
| 1967 | I Spy | Chester | Episode: "Cops and Robbers" |
| 1967 | Cowboy in Africa | Jama | Episode: "Incident at Derati Wells" |
| 1967 | Waterhole#3 | Prince | |
| 1967 | The Monkees | Thursday | Episode: "Monkees Marooned" |
| 1968 | Felony Squad | Ray Hawkins | 2 episodes |
| 1969 | The Reivers | Ned McCaslin | Nominated: Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor |
| 1970 | Bonanza | Davis | Episode: "The Power of Life and Death" |
| 1970 | Storefront Lawyers | Johnson | Episode: "The Emancipation of Bessie Gray" |
| 1970 | The Bill Cosby Show | Felix E. LeBlanc | Episode: "The Lincoln Letter" |
| 1970 | Bracken's World | Freddy Webster, Sr. | Episode: "Will Freddy's Real Father Please Stand Up?" |
| 1971 | Confessions of a Top Crime Buster | Detective George Robinson | Television movie |
| 1971–1972 | The Partners | Detective George Robinson | 20 episodes, (final appearance) |
