Raymond St. Jacques was an American actor best known for his roles in Rawhide, Cotton Comes to Harlem, and Glory. Born James Arthur Johnson on March 1, 1930, he made significant contributions to film and television during the 1960s and 70s.
Personal and Family Life
Raymond St. Jacques was born in Hartford, Connecticut, and raised in New Haven during the Great Depression after his parents’ divorce. He had a younger sister named Barbara and a son, Sterling St. Jacques, who was a dancer and actor. Sterling tragically passed away due to AIDS in 1984. Raymond had a deep interest in acting from a young age and was raised in a creative environment, developing his skills in writing and performing.
Career
Raymond began his acting career with a stage performance in “Othello” and later served in the U.S. Air Force, where he entertained fellow servicemen. After his discharge, he continued to pursue acting, changing his stage name from Raymond Johnson to avoid confusion with others. He achieved notable success on Broadway and transitioned to television and film, where he became the first black actor to have a regular role in a western series with Rawhide.
Death and Legacy
Raymond St. Jacques passed away on August 27, 1990, in Los Angeles, California, due to lymphoma. Throughout his life, he was recognized not only for his acting talent but also for his activism, particularly concerning civil rights. His pioneering roles and contributions to black-oriented films have left a lasting legacy in the entertainment industry.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Black Like Me | 1964-01-01 | Burial Insurance Salesman |
| The Comedians | 1967-10-31 | Captain Concasseur |
| Cotton Comes to Harlem | 1970-05-27 | Coffin Ed Johnson |
| Glory | 1989-12-15 | Frederick Douglass |
| Voodoo Dawn | 1990-11-01 | Claude |
| Rawhide | 1959-01-09 | Simon Blake |
| Dr. Kildare | 1961-12-18 | Various |
| Murder, She Wrote | 1984-09-30 | Claude Rensselaer |