Avon Long
Avon Long | |
|---|---|
 Long in 1943. | |
| Born | June 18, 1910 Baltimore,Maryland |
| Died | February 15, 1984(aged 73) New York City |
| Years active | 1932–1984 |
Avon Long(June 18, 1910 – February 15, 1984) was an AmericanBroadwayactor and singer.
Biography
[edit]Long was born inBaltimore,Maryland.[1]He attendedFrederick Douglass High School,where he was especially influenced by the Latin teacher and drama coach,Nellie A. Buchanan.[2][3]
Long performed in a number of Broadway shows, includingPorgy and Bess(as Sportin' Life in the 1942 revival), andBeggar's Holiday(1946). Long andLena Horneco-introduced the Harold Arlen–Ted Koehler composition "As Long As I Live" inCotton Club Parade(1934) when Horne was only 16 years old.
He reprised his role of Sportin' Life in the 1951Columbiarecording ofPorgy and Bess,the most complete recording of the opera issued up to that time. He also appeared withThelma Carpenterin the 1952 revival ofShuffle Along,which was recorded byRCA Victor.
Don't Play Us Cheapopened at theEthel Barrymore Theaterin New York on May 16, 1972, and ran for 164 performances. Long, along with Thomas Anderson, Joshie Armstead, Robert Dunn, Jay Van Leer,Esther Rolle,Mabel King,George "Ooppee" McCurn,Frank Carey, Nate Barnett, and Rhetta Hughes, recreated their stage roles in the1973 film adaptationof the musical.
Long originated the role of John inBubbling Brown Sugaron Broadway, which opened at the August Wilson Theatre (then-ANTA Playhouse) on March 2, 1976, and closed on December 31, 1977, after 766 performances.
Long also appeared in a number of films and television shows. He played the elderly Chicken George Moore inRoots: The Next Generationsminiseries,and had small roles inTrading Places(1983) – memorable as Ezra, the servant to whomRalph Bellamygives a miserably small Christmas bonus ( "maybe I'll go to the movies – by myself" ),The Sting(1973) ( "Flat rate!" ), andHarry and Tonto(1974). He was originally cast to play George Jefferson in "All in the Family", but was replaced based on negative feedback fromCarroll O'Connor.[4]
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1945 | Ziegfeld Follies | Specialty | scenes deleted |
| 1946 | Centennial Summer | Specialty | |
| 1948 | Romance on the High Seas | Specialty Singer | |
| 1968 | Finian's Rainbow | Passion Pilgrim Gospeleer | Uncredited |
| 1973 | The Sting | Benny Garfield | |
| 1973 | Don't Play Us Cheap | Brother Dave | |
| 1974 | Harry and Tonto | Leroy | |
| 1978 | Bye Bye Monkey | Miko | |
| 1983 | Trading Places | Ezra | |
| 1984 | Nothing Lasts Forever | Alphacruiser Steward | (final film role) |
References
[edit]- ^Rousuck, J. Wynn (December 19, 1976)."Avon Long: Ecstasy to Broadway".The Baltimore Sun.p. 12.RetrievedMarch 31,2019– via Newspapers.com.
- ^Peters, Ida (August 23, 1975)."Nellie Buchanan Night in DC; Avon Long Honors Former Teacher".The Baltimore Afro-American.p. 14.RetrievedMarch 31,2019– via NewspaperArchive.com.
- ^Peters, Ida (August 26, 1975)."Nellie Buchanan Night".The Baltimore Afro-American.p. 17.RetrievedMarch 31,2019– via NewspaperArchive.com.
- ^Littleton, Darryl "D’Militant" (April 8, 2017)."On This Day in Comedy… In 1975 'The Jefferson's Premiered on CBS!".Humor Mill Mag.RetrievedJune 2,2019.
