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    Robert Guillaume    (voice of Rafiki)

Biography

Robert Guillaume is best-known for his television work, for which he earned two Emmy Awards.

ot only a critical success, but a popular success as well, the actor's portrayal of the character, Benson, held center stage on television for nine years. As Benson, he won two Emmys, the first for Best Supporting Actor for his work in "Soap" in 1979. The second came in 1985 for Best Actor in a Comedy after Benson moved on to the series bearing the character's name.

Guillaume guided the character through a growth and realization of potential that took him from a butler to the position of state budget director, and finally, Lieutenant Governor. It was a lesson in the possibilities of applied intelligence, character and hard work which was not lost on many Americans born into lower income families.

Guillaume's own life has been no less extraordinary. Raised in St. Louis by his maternal grandmother, he interrupted his education with a stint in the United States Army. After discharge, he attended St. Louis University as a business administration major, for a while burying his true ambition to sing tenor at the Metropolitan Opera.

Robert's vocal talent was recognized while he attended Washington University in St. Louis by Leslie Chabay, artist in residence, who arranged a scholarship for him at the Aspen (Colorado) Music Festival. This appearance led to a major turning point: Guillaume's apprenticeship at Cleveland's Karamu Theatre. There, under the tutelage of Helmut Wolfes, Beno Frank and J. Harold Brown, he made his semi-professional debut in both operas and musical comedy.

Not long after Guillaume moved from Karamu to New York City, he became one of the stage's best-reviewed young actors. He triumphed in "Kwamina," "Bambouche," "Tambourines to Glory," "Othello," "Porgy & Bess," "Apple Pie" and "Jacques Brel." He went on to even greater acclaim in "Purlie," "Golden Boy," and, of course, "Guys and Dolls," in his Tony-nominated performance as Nathan Detroit. He received rave reviews during his eight months as the star of the Los Angeles production of "Phantom of the Opera."

As a singer, he has received critical raves and standing ovations, from the showrooms of Las Vegas, Atlantic City and Lake Tahoe to concert stages across the United States and Canada.

Guillaume has starred in several theatrical films, including Disney's "The Lion King," "Meteor Man," "Wanted: Dead or Alive," "Seems Like Old Times," "Lean on Me," "Death Warrant," "First Kid" and "Spy Hard." On television, his movie work has included "John Grin's Christmas," which he wrote, directed and starred in; "The Penthouse," "The Kid With the Broken Halo," "The Kid With the 200 IQ," "Pandora's Clock" and "Panic in the Skies." He is the narrator of the HBO animated series, "Happily Ever After."

Guillaume stresses that it was his academic studies which prepared him to take advantage of artistic opportunities. "If I had to identify what led me to success, I'd say it was a firmly grounded early education which made me unafraid of the English language.

"Today, a lot of young people cannot speak the language. Moreover, they think there is nobility in not being able to do so. These youngsters must have totally missed the point.

"As a television performer on 'Soap,' 'Benson,' 'The Robert Guillaume Show' and 'Pacific Station,' I sought to avoid the stereotypical sociological traps. I always wanted kids of any background to understand the characters I've portrayed were real, that the solutions they found were true and possible. It has always been important to me to stress that there was no diminution of power or universality just because my characters are African-Americans."

In 1992, Robert and his wife, Donna, began The Confetti Company. The company publishes read-along books and audio cassettes of traditional fairy tales written with a multi-ethnic approach. The books are a critical and commercial success. They are also a favorite of their lovely daughter, Rachel.

In addition to his work as a performer, Robert Guillaume has generously given both time and resources to numerous charitable and social organizations, among them, TransAfrica, AmFAR, Sickle Cell Disease Association of America and Artists for a New South Africa.    Copyright ©1999, WCHS-TV8

Personal Information

Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Birthdate: Nov. 30

Filmography

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