
Acting
Born August 1, 1930 · Port-of-Spain, Trinidad
Born in Port of Spain, Trinidad of African descent, Holder was an actor known for his towering 200-centimeter (6'6") height, heavily accented deep basso voice and hearty laugh. With that and his appearance in the 1970s 7 Up soft drink "uncola" advertising campaign, Holder's image quickly became recognizable. He was also in the 1967 movie Dr. Dolittle as William Shakespeare, "Willy," and played Baron Samedi, one of the main villain's henchmen, in the 1973 James Bond film, Live and Let Die. Though the 7 Up advertising campaign lasted only a short while in the early 1970s, the company revived the campaign in the early 1980s after Holder achieved a spike in popularity in the 1982 movie version of the musical Annie, in which he played the role of Punjab. He was a prolific painter, ardent art collector, and performer who had also authored books and composed music. As a choreographer, he created dance pieces for many companies, including the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and The Dance Theatre of Harlem. Holder was married to dancer Carmen De Lavallade, whom he met when both were in the cast of Truman Capote's House of Flowers. .

The Magistical
2008

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
2005
Carmen & Geoffrey
2005

Bear in the Big Blue House LIVE! - Surprise Party
2002

Goosed
1999

Chance or Coincidence
1998

Going, Going, Almost Gone! Animals in Danger
1995

Boomerang
1992

Tropical Rainforest
1992

Night of 100 Stars III
1990

Ghost of a Chance
1987

John Grin's Christmas
1986

Night of 100 Stars II
1985

Alice in Wonderland
1983

All by Myself: The Eartha Kitt Story
1982

Annie
1982

Lights! Camera! Annie! The Making of a Major Hollywood Musical
1982

The Gold Bug
1980

Swashbuckler
1976

The Noah
1975

Goggles!
1974

Live and Let Die
1973

Bond 1973: The Lost Documentary
1973

The Man Without a Country
1973

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex *But Were Afraid to Ask
1972

Krakatoa, East of Java
1969

Doctor Dolittle
1967

Androcles and the Lion
1967

Aladdin
1958

Carib Gold
1956