Rupert Crosse was an American actor who is best known for his roles in The Reivers, Ride in the Whirlwind, and Shadows. He made history as the first African American to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Personal and Family Life
Rupert Crosse was born on November 29, 1927, in New York City but grew up on Nevis, an island in the Caribbean. He was raised by his grandparents until he returned to the U.S. to serve in the Army. Crosse studied acting under John Cassavetes and had a significant career in both television and film. He was married to Chris Calloway, and together they had one son.
Career Highlights
Crosse began his film career in the late 1950s and appeared in several notable movies during the 1960s, including Too Late Blues and The Reivers, for which he received an Oscar nomination. He often took roles in television series and was known for his performances in The Partners and The Monkees. Crosse made a lasting impact on the industry, paving the way for future African American actors.
Death and Legacy
Rupert Crosse passed away on March 5, 1973, from lung cancer in Nevis, shortly after returning to the island. His legacy includes being a pioneer for African American actors in Hollywood, and he was remembered by his contemporaries, including Jack Nicholson, who acknowledged Crosse’s influence on his career. Crosse’s contributions to film and television continue to be celebrated.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Ride in the Whirlwind | 1966-10-23 | Indian Joe |
| Wild Seed | 1965-05-05 | Hobo |
| The Reivers | 1969-12-20 | Ned McCaslin |
| Shadows | 1960-10-14 | Rupert |
| Too Late Blues | 1961-11-01 | Baby Jackson |
| The Best Man | 1964-04-05 | Reporter (uncredited) |
| Marnie | 1964-07-17 | Office Worker (uncredited) |
| Twilight of Honor | 1963-11-13 | Jailer’s Assistant (uncredited) |
| Waterhole #3 | 1967-10-10 | Prince |
| That Girl | 1966-09-08 | |
| Johnny Staccato | 1959-09-10 | |
| Felony Squad | 1966-09-12 | |
| Have Gun, Will Travel | 1957-09-14 | |
| Ben Casey | 1961-10-02 | |
| Dr. Kildare | 1961-09-27 | George Parker |
| The Man from U.N.C.L.E. | 1964-09-22 | Nobuk |
| The Girl from U.N.C.L.E. | 1966-09-13 | Tchelba |
| The Great Adventure | 1963-09-27 | William Still |
| The Bill Cosby Show | 1969-09-14 | Felix E. LeBlanc |
| The Monkees | 1966-09-12 | |
| The Partners | 1971-09-18 | Det. George Robinson |
| Rawhide | 1959-01-09 | A Trooper |
| Cowboy in Africa | 1967-09-11 | |
| CBS Playhouse | 1966-12-08 | |
| The Alfred Hitchcock Hour | 1962-09-20 | Paul Mackey |
| Bonanza | 1959-09-12 | Davis |