Robert Guillaume, star of hit sitcom 'Benson,' dies at 89

[DonViejo]

Source: The Washington Post


Robert Guillaume, center, accepts his Emmy Award for best supporting actor in a comedy-variety or music series for his role in "Soap" from Tim Conway, right, and Loni Anderson in 1979. (Reed Saxon/AP)


By Hillel Italie October 24 at 4:14 PM

Robert Guillaume, who rose from squalid beginnings in St. Louis slums to become a star in stage musicals and win Emmy Awards for his portrayal of the sharp-tongued butler in the TV sitcoms “Soap” and “Benson,” died Oct. 24 at his home in Los Angeles. He was 89.

The cause was complications from prostate cancer, said his wife, Donna Brown Guillaume.

Among Mr. Guillaume’s achievements was playing Nathan Detroit in the first all-black version of “Guys and Dolls,” earning a Tony nomination in 1977. While playing in “Guys and Dolls, he was asked to test for the role of an acerbic butler of a governor’s mansion in “Soap,” a primetime TV sitcom that satirized soap operas.

“The minute I saw the script, I knew I had a live one,” he recalled in 2001. “Every role was written against type, especially Benson, who wasn’t subservient to anyone. To me, Benson was the revenge for all those stereotyped guys who looked like Benson in the ‘40s and ‘50s [movies] and had to keep their mouths shut.”

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/robert-guillaume-star-of-hit-sitcom-benson-dies-at-89/2017/10/24/d00c70a2-b8f5-11e7-a908-a3470754bbb9_story.html

[OriginalGeek]

1. Just read that

Soap, Benson, Sports Night...he was just great in everything I knew him from.

[TeamPooka]

2. RIP Mr. Guillaume.

I loved his work.

[Yavin4]

3. RIP Benson. Odd Trivia fact, Soap, Benson, and The Golden Girls were all created by Susan Harris

The mother of Sam Harris.

[whistler162]

19. WOW who knew his mother

[Coventina]

4. Aw, so sad to hear this.

I have fond childhood memories of that show.

[Orrex]

5. I always liked him

Remarkable presence.

If I recall, he also did a well-regarded turn as titular character, The Phantom of the Opera.

Rest in peace, sir!

[murielm99]

13. That was the first thing I thought of.

[LenaBaby61]

6. Loved him on Soap .....

He will be missed.

MORE of my childhood memories are leaving me

[BigmanPigman]

16. He was great...his subdued sarcasm stole the scenes

he was in. A sad time for many.

[Xipe Totec]

7. I will miss his sarcasm. He was awesome. nt

[BumRushDaShow]

8. Oh no!!!! What a loss.

I sortof lost track of him and didn't realize how old he was now.

Loved him in "Soap" and "Benson". Talk about a "break out" character.

R.I.P. and condolences to his family.

[Aristus]

9. He had the most marvelous face. Very handsome.

I know that sounds like a weird thing for a guy to say. But he had a wonderful face.

Great actor...

[Skittles]

10. oh yes

indeed he did

[lordsummerisle]

11. He was great

RIP

[FailureToCommunicate]

12. Sad to hear. Always loved him on this show...

[xxqqqzme]

23. Loved Sports Night

Knew it wouldn't last. It rquired its audience to think. Loved Guillaume's character was kept after his stroke

[7962]

14. I loved that guy. He was hilarious. Wow, 89. The years have flown by. nt

[joeybee12]

15. Crap. I hope the passing was peaceful

Rip

[onenote]

17. His speech on Sports Night from December 1998 is worth watching.

[FailureToCommunicate]

29. Great clip! Guillaume's delivery of (presumably) Aaron Sorkin's words is extraordinary!

Thank's for finding this.

[AngryAmish]

18. Quite a picture of Loni

[irisblue]

20. He was a talented actor.

Rest in glory

[smirkymonkey]

21. How sad. I really liked him.

[Maine-i-acs]

22. Talented voice actor too - "Rafiki" in the Lion King if memory serves.

And yes Loni is Fiiiine.

[hamsterjill]

24. Sorry to learn this.

My sympathies to his family and friends.

[BuddhaGirl]

25. I saw him play the Phantom in Phantom of the Opera

in Los Angeles. He took over the role from Michael Crawford. He was the first African-American Phantom.

He had a WONDERFUL voice!




RIP Mr. Guillaume

[Va Lefty]

26. Damn. Loved him in SOAP and Benson

[no_hypocrisy]

27. Robert Guillaume on playing "Benson DuBois" on "Soap"

[Kaleva]

28. Only seen him on Benson but loved that show RIP

[Raine]

30. Sad news ... RIP