Norman Gibson was a young actor who played the role of Robert in the 1975 movie Cooley High, a comedy-drama film about the lives of black teenagers in Chicago. He was also a real-life gangster who was involved in petty crimes and dice games. His life was cut short when he was shot to death in his Chicago neighborhood, just one year and three months after the movie was released. This article will explore the details of Norman Gibson’s cause of death and how it affected his co-stars and fans.
Contents
Who was Norman Gibson?
Norman Gibson was born on September 18, 1951 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He was an actor, but not a professional one. He was discovered by director Michael Shultz, who wanted authentic characters to fill the gangster roles in Cooley High. According to IMDb, Shultz was told by Chicago police of two petty thieves who hung out together, Gibson and Sherman Smith, so he sought them out. Smith said in an interview that he and Gibson were just walking down the street when Shultz rolled up on them in a limo, asking them to read for the parts.
Gibson played the role of Robert, a friend of the main characters Preach and Cochise, who gets into trouble with the law and the rival gang. He had a memorable scene where he tries to escape from the police by jumping off a bridge into the Chicago River, only to be caught by a fisherman. He also had a funny line where he says “I ain’t no punk, I’m a businessman” when he is asked about his occupation.
Gibson’s performance was well-received by critics and audiences, who praised his natural and charismatic acting. He was considered a promising talent who could have a bright future in the film industry.
How did Norman Gibson die?
Unfortunately, Norman Gibson’s life did not mirror his success on the screen. He continued to live in his Chicago neighborhood, where he was reportedly involved in criminal activities and gambling. He was also addicted to drugs and alcohol, which affected his health and behavior.
On September 29, 1976, Gibson was playing a dice game with some other men, when he was robbed by other stick-up men who wanted to take his money. A scuffle ensued, and Gibson was shot in the chest. He was rushed to the hospital, but he died shortly after. He was only 25 years old.
His death was a shock and a tragedy for his family, friends, co-stars, and fans. He left behind a daughter, who was only a few months old at the time. His funeral was attended by hundreds of people, who mourned his loss and paid tribute to his talent.
What was the impact of Norman Gibson’s death?
Norman Gibson’s death was a sad reminder of the harsh realities of life in the inner city, where violence and poverty are prevalent. It also showed the contrast between the fictional world of Cooley High, where the characters had hopes and dreams, and the real world, where those dreams were shattered by bullets.
His death also affected his co-star and friend, Sherman Smith, who played the role of Stone, the leader of the rival gang. Smith was later convicted of armed robbery and served eight years in prison. However, he was able to turn his life around with the help of Jackie Taylor, another Cooley High cast member, who gave him a job as a janitor at her Black Ensemble Theater in Chicago. He later moved on to acting roles in various productions there.
Norman Gibson’s death also inspired a tribute song by the rapper Common, who grew up in Chicago and was a fan of Cooley High. The song, titled “Reminding Me (Of Sef)”, was released in 1997 and featured vocals by Chantay Savage. The song samples the theme song of Cooley High, “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday” by G.C. Cameron, and mentions Gibson’s name and character in the lyrics.
Norman Gibson’s death also left a legacy of admiration and appreciation for his work and his personality. He is remembered as a talented and charismatic actor who brought life and humor to his role. He is also remembered as a victim of the harsh circumstances that he could not escape. His death is a tragic example of the potential that was lost and the dreams that were never fulfilled.
