Calvin Lockhart was a Bahamian-American actor who rose to fame in the 1970s with his roles in blaxploitation films such as Cotton Comes to Harlem and Let’s Do It Again. He was also the first black actor to become an artist-in-residence at the Royal Shakespeare Company in England. He had a charismatic presence and a distinctive voice that made him stand out in any genre. But how did he die and what was his legacy?
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Early Life and Career
Calvin Lockhart was born as Bert McClossy Cooper on October 18, 1934, in Nassau, Bahamas. He was the youngest of eight children and his father was a tailor. He moved to New York City when he was 18 and studied engineering at the Cooper Union School of Engineering for a year before dropping out to pursue acting. He worked as a taxi driver, a carpenter, and a restaurant owner while taking acting classes with Uta Hagen.
He made his Broadway debut in 1960 in The Cool World, a play about a gang leader in Harlem. He then traveled to Europe and formed his own theater company in Italy, where he acted and directed. He also lived in Germany and England, where he appeared in various TV shows and films, such as A Dandy in Aspic and Salt and Pepper. His first notable film role was in Joanna, a 1968 film about an interracial romance in London, directed by Michael Sarne, who later cast him in the notorious Myra Breckinridge.
Blaxploitation Star and Shakespearean Actor
In the early 1970s, Lockhart returned to the US and became a star of the blaxploitation genre, which featured black actors in action-packed and socially relevant films. He played Reverend Deke O’Malley, a con man who steals money from Harlem residents, in Cotton Comes to Harlem, based on the novel by Chester Himes. He also played Biggie Smalls, a crime boss who bets on boxing matches, in Let’s Do It Again, directed by Sidney Poitier. He also appeared in other films such as Melinda, Honeybaby, Honeybaby, and The Baron.
Lockhart also showed his versatility as an actor by joining the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1974 as an artist-in-residence. He was the first black actor to receive this honor and he performed in plays such as Titus Andronicus, Julius Caesar, and Coriolanus. He received critical acclaim for his Shakespearean roles and proved that he could handle any challenge.
Later Years and Death
In the late 1970s, Lockhart became involved in an anti-drug campaign called Getting Off Drugs, which aimed to help teenagers overcome drug addiction. He also appeared in some TV shows such as Good Times, Get Christie Love!, and Dynasty. In the 1980s and 1990s, he had roles in films such as Wild at Heart, Predator 2, Coming to America, and Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me.
Lockhart died on March 29, 2007, at the age of 72, in Nassau, Bahamas. The cause of death was complications from a stroke that he suffered a week earlier. He was survived by his wife Jennifer Miles-Lockhart and his two children from previous marriages. His son Julian Lockhart is also an actor.
Legacy and Influence
Calvin Lockhart was one of the most talented and versatile actors of his generation. He broke barriers and stereotypes with his performances in different genres and mediums. He inspired many other actors who followed his footsteps, such as Denzel Washington, Will Smith, Jamie Foxx, and Idris Elba. He also influenced many musicians who adopted his name or paid tribute to him in their songs, such as The Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, Nas, Snoop Dogg, and Rick Ross.
Calvin Lockhart’s cause of death was a tragic loss for the entertainment industry and his fans around the world. He left behind a rich legacy of films and plays that showcase his talent and charisma. He will always be remembered as one of the greatest actors of all time.
