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Moses GunnAfrican American actor
Date of Birth: 02.10.1929
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Moses Gunn
Moses Gunn was an African-American actor who was an innovator in all genres of the dramatic arts: theater, film, and television. He was the recipient of the off-Broadway theater award 'Obie Award' and in the 1960s, he was one of the founders of the Negro Ensemble Company, a theater company focused on black performers and audiences.
Early Life
Moses Gunn was born on October 2, 1929, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Mary and George Gunn. He was the oldest of seven children. After his mother's death, his family began to fall apart. At the age of 12, Moses ran away from home and became a runaway, traveling by railroad. Eventually, he returned to St. Louis and continued his education in school. He was taken in by his school teacher, Jewel Richie, who taught him English and elocution.
Education and Career
In 1954, Moses joined the army for three years. In 1959, he earned a bachelor's degree from Tennessee State University and won a scholarship to the University of Kansas. From 1959 to 1961, Gunn pursued his master's degree in dramatic arts and speech. During his time at the University of Kansas, he participated in theatrical productions such as 'Tartuffe' and 'Auntie Mame' and directed an original production called 'The Trial of Captain John Brown.' He was also a member of the student fraternity 'Omega Psi Phi.' Gunn left the university to teach at Grambling College in Louisiana but was drawn to the theater scene in New York City.
Acting Career
In 1962, Moses made his off-Broadway debut in Jean Genet's play 'The Blacks.' In 1970, he portrayed Othello on Broadway, and in 1976, he was nominated for a Tony Award for his role in 'The Poison Tree.' Gunn was well-known for his performances in Shakespearean roles and frequently worked with the Yale Repertory Theatre and participated in the New York Shakespeare Festival. He obtained his master's degree in 1989, despite not completing his thesis.
Later Life
In March 2008, it was announced that the University of Kansas would establish a museum in Moses Gunn's honor. His widow, Gwendolyn Gunn, donated several boxes of memorabilia, including awards, posters, artwork, and other items. Gunn was highly respected as a character actor in theater and film. He is best remembered for his role as gangster Ellsworth Raymond 'Bumpy' Jonas in the first two 'Shaft' films and as Booker Washington in Miloš Forman's 'Ragtime,' for which he received an NAACP Image Award. In 1977, Gunn was nominated for an Emmy Award for his role in the mini-series 'Roots.' His last major role was in Clint Eastwood's film 'Heartbreak Ridge.' He made his final television appearance in an episode of the crime series 'Homicide: Life on the Street' in 1993.
Moses Gunn passed away on December 17, 1993, at his home in Guilford, Connecticut, at the age of 64, due to complications related to asthma.
