This articleneeds additional citations forverification.(February 2019) |
Stewart Byron "Stu" Gilliam(July 27, 1933[1][2]– October 11, 2013) was anAfrican-Americanactorandstand-upand TVcomedian.
Stu Gilliam | |
|---|---|
 Gilliam (top) inRoll Out,1973 (with Hilly Hicks) | |
| Born | Stewart Byron Gilliam July 27, 1933 Detroit, Michigan,U.S. |
| Died | October 11, 2013(aged 80) |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, comedian |
| Spouse |
Vivian Baravalle (m.2007) |
Biography
editStewart Byron Gilliam was born in amiddle-classarea ofDetroit,the grandson of a church minister. He left home at age 14 to perform with acircusasventriloquistin state fairs, then after a few years began to appear in clubs inChicago.During his two-year service in theKorean War,he entertained troops as a ventriloquist. In the 1950s and 1960s he performed his act in clubs nationwide with Black audiences, including theApollo TheaterinNew York City.He sometimes performed for integrated audiences, but in Southern states of the U. S. he was prevented from appearing onstage at the same time as the White performers. ThePlayboy Clubcircuit changed that by booking him before largely White crowds, including in the South.[2]
In the 1960s and 1970s Giliam did stand-up work along with TV and film appearances. He appeared on national TV shows such asThe Ed Sullivan Show,Playboy After Dark,andThe Dean Martin Show.In 1968, he was paired withDon AdamsandRobert CulpinGet Smartas Agent Samuels (really Kubacek, a double agent in deep disguise) in "Die, Spy", a spoof of the television seriesI Spy.He was the voice ofFreddie "Curly" Nealon theHanna-Barberacartoon seriesHarlem Globetrottersin the early seventies. Gilliam was a panelist on the first season of the game showMatch Game '73([3]episodes 41-45 and 51-56[4]).
Gilliam co-starred in the CBS sitcomRoll Outduring the 1973–74 season. Also starringHilly Hicks,and featuringEd Begley, Jr.andGarrett Morris,the series was set in France during World War II and was loosely based on the 1952 filmRed Ball Express.
Gilliam was an active member of the Bahá'í Faith. He married Vivian Baravalle in 2007 and moved to her residence in theCzech Republic.They had one daughter, Velnita. Gilliam died of a heart attack inČeské Budějoviceon October 11, 2013, at age 80.[1][failed verification]He had also been battlinglung cancerandCOPD.He is buried inBoršov nad Vltavou.[2]
References
edit- ^abSocial Security Death Index dates of birth and death,datalounge.com; accessed July 21, 2018.
- ^abc"Stu Gilliam, comedian-actor, taught the Faith enthusiastically".The American Baháʼí.January–February 2014.
- ^Match Game 73 (Episode 44) (September 13th, 1973) (Betty's Chance At Super Match?),retrieved2022-09-25
- ^"IMDB".IMDb.