Avon Long was an American actor who is best known for his roles in “Porgy and Bess,” “Roots: The Next Generations,” and “Trading Places.” He gained fame as a Broadway performer and featured entertainer.
Personal and Family Life
Avon Long was born on June 18, 1910, in Baltimore, Maryland. He was married to Gretchen Cotton and together they had three children. Long was survived by his wife and two daughters, Gretchen Heard and Ellyn Marshall, as well as his brother, Louis Long.
Career
Long had a successful career in music and acting. He was a prominent singer and dancer at the Cotton Club in New York during 1934, where he played a significant role in advancing Lena Horne’s career. In the 1940s, he received critical acclaim for his portrayal of “Sportin’ Life” in the Broadway production of “Porgy and Bess,” and also appeared in “Bubbling Brown Sugar.”
Death and Legacy
Avon Long passed away on February 15, 1984, in New York City due to cancer. He was remembered for his contributions to theater and film, and he was nominated for a Tony Award in 1973 for Best Supporting or Featured Actor in a Musical for “Don’t Play Us Cheap.”
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Places | 1983-06-07 | Ezra |
| Ciao maschio | 1978-02-24 | Miko |
| The Sting | 1973-12-25 | Benny Garfield |
| Finian’s Rainbow | 1968-10-09 | Passion Pilgrim Gospeller (uncredited) |
| Romance on the High Seas | 1948-06-25 | Specialty Singer |
| Don’t Play Us Cheap | 1972-12-11 | Brother Dave |
| Harry and Tonto | 1974-08-12 | Leroy |
| F.D.R.: The Last Year | 1980-05-15 | Bunnright |
| Nothing Lasts Forever | 1984-09-06 | Alphacruiser Steward |
| 13 West Street | 1962-02-23 | Police detective sitting at desk (uncredited) |
| Roots: The Next Generations | 1979-02-18 | Chicken George Moore |