Robert Guillaume, Star of ‘Benson,’ Dies at 89
One of TV’s most beloved and versatile stars has sadly passed away. Emmy-winner and Tony-nominee Robert Guillaume, star of everything from Benson to The Lion King, has died of prostate cancer complications at the age of 89.
According to Variety, the actor’s spouse Donna Brown Guillaume told the Associated Press that Robert passed away at their Los Angeles home of complications with prostate cancer. Guillaume was perhaps best-known for his Soap spinoff role of butler-turned-government-official Benson DuBois, which earned him two supporting Emmys on Soap and a lead actor Emmy win for Benson,
Other notable roles for Guillaume included early turns on All in the Family, Good Times, Sanford and Son and The Jeffersons, along with post-Benson work like ABC’s Sports Night. In theatre, Guillaume’s major roles included the title character of Phantom of the Opera, a Tony-nominated African-American revival of Guys and Dolls, and Cyrano. He even won a Grammy for a spoken word recording based on The Lion King, atop voicing Rafiki in the film.
Some of Guillaume’s more recent work included a 2012 role in thriller Columbus Circle, and a 2011 part in musical dramedy Satin. He is survived by wife Donna Brown Guillaume, one son and three daughters. Best wishes to all those remembering Robert Guillaume in the meantime.
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