Julius W. Harris (August 17, 1923 – October 17, 2004) was an American actor who appeared in more than 70 movies and numerous television series in a career that spanned four decades. Harris is best known for his roles in 1970s films such as Live and Let Die and the blaxploitation films Super Fly, Black Caesar and Hell Up in Harlem.McLellan, Dennis ( October 22, 2004). "Julius Harris, 81; Broke Stereotypes of Movie Roles for Black Actors". Los Angeles Times. p. B11. (subscription required)."Film actor of 4 decades". Miami Herald. October 23, 2004. p. 4B (subscription required).
Early life and career Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to a father who was a musician and a mother who had been employed by the Cotton Club in New York City as a dancer, Harris worked as a nurse, and a bouncer in New York City jazz clubs. Before he began his acting career, Harris served as a medic in the U.S. Army during World War II. After hanging out with many struggling actors, he took a dare and auditioned for his first role and was cast as the father in Nothing But a Man, a critically acclaimed 1964 film about black life in the South starring Ivan Dixon and Abbey Lincoln.
Some of his most prominent roles included the villainous, steel-armed Tee Hee in the James Bond film Live and Let Die, Scatter in Super Fly, Bubbletop Woodson in Let's Do It Again, Captain Bollin in Shaft's Big Score, Inspector Daniels in The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, Joseph in Islands in the Stream and Ugandan President Idi Amin in the TV movie Victory at Entebbe.
He also appeared in Trouble Man, King Kong, Black Caesar, Hell Up in Harlem, Friday Foster, Shrunken Heads, Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man and in guest-starring roles on Sanford and Son, Good Times, and Love Boat among others. Harris was a member of the Negro Ensemble Company in New York City and appeared on Broadway in the Pulitzer Prize-winning play, No Place to Be Somebody.
Death Harris died from heart failure on October 17, 2004, while admitted at the Motion Picture and Television Hospital. He was 81. He was cremated and interred in Philadelphia, his place of birth, and was survived by his daughter Kimberly and son Gideon.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1964 Nothing But a Man Will Anderson Harris' first movie role 1969 Slaves Shadrach 1971 The Plot Against Harry Big Julie 1972 Shaft's Big Score Captain Bollin Super Fly "Scatter" Trouble Man "Mr. Big" 1973 Black Caesar Mr. Gibbs Live and Let Die Tee Hee Johnson Salty Clancy Ames Hell Up in Harlem Mr. Gibbs Blade Card Player 1974 The Taking of Pelham One Two Three Deputy Chief Inspector Daniels 1975 Let's Do It Again "Bubbletop" Woodson Friday Foster "Monk" Riley 1976 King Kong Boan 1977 Islands in the Stream Joseph Alambrista! 2nd Drunk Looking for Mr. Goodbar "Black Cat" 1979 Delta Fox "Tiny" 1980 Gorp Fred, The Chef First Family Ambassador Longo 1981 Circle of Power B.B. Full Moon High Hijacker Uncredited 1983 Going Berserk Judge 1984 The Enchanted Booker T. 1985 Crimewave Hardened Convict, Victor's cellmate 1986 My Chauffeur Johnson Alternative title: My Chauffeur: Licensed to Love Hollywood Vice Squad Jesse 1988 Split Decisions Tony Leone 1990 To Sleep with Anger Herman Darkman Gravedigger Prayer of the Rollerboys "Speedbagger" 1991 Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man Old Man Jiles 1993 Maniac Cop III: Badge of Silence Houngan Malfaiteur Alternative titles: Maniac Cop 3MC3: Maniac Cop 3 1994 Shrunken Heads Aristide Sumatra Television Year Title Role Notes 1969 N.Y.P.D. Hector 1 episode 1973 The Bob Newhart Show Mr. Billings 1 episode ("Blues for Mr. Borden") 1975 Harry O Arthur "Art Sully" Daniels 1 episode Cannon Milner, Liquid Store Owner 1 episode Ellery Queen Doyle, The Butler 1 episode 1976 Rich Man, Poor Man Augie Miniseries Victory at Entebbe President Idi Amin Television movie Good Times Ben 1 episode 1977 Kojak Joe Addison 1 episode Sanford and Son Doctor 1 episode 1978 The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries Mr. Dove 2 episodes 1979 The Incredible Hulk "Doc" Alden 1 episode 1981 Thornwell Frisco Television movie 1982 The Blue and the Gray Swamp Preacher Miniseries Voyagers! Auctioneer 1 episode 1983 St. Elsewhere Earl 1 episode 1983–1986 Cagney & Lacey Bardo / Sergeant Major Brennan 2 episodes 1984 Hart to Hart Krohn 1 episode Gone Are the Dayes Man #1 Television movie Benson Benson's Uncle Buster 1 episode ("The Reunion") The Jeffersons Reverend Taylor 1 episode 1985 Hollywood Wives Reverend Daniel Miniseries Amazing Stories Joe 1 episode 1986 Capitol Papa Nebo Unknown episodes 1987 Outlaws Butch 1 episode A Gathering of Old Men Coot Television movieAlternative title: Murder on the Bayou 1989 Friday the 13th: The Series Simpson 1 episode 1991 The Golden Girls Mr. Lewis 1 episode Murder, She Wrote Jack Lee Johnson 1 episode Civil Wars Judge Adams 1 episode 1992 Eerie, Indiana Prop Man 1 episode 1997 ER Gramps 1 episode (final appearance)
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