William McGhee
First African-American actor on Dallas stage without racial role restrictions.
Last updated
William McGhee was an American stage, film and television actor. He performed under the names Bill McGee, Bill McGhee and William Bill McGhee. He was born on July 24, 1930 and died on February 17, 2007.
Quick Facts
- Born
- July 24, 1930
- Died
- February 17, 2007
- Occupation
- Actor
- Other names
- Bill McGee
- Bill McGhee
- William Bill McGhee
- Years active
- 1954–1989
Facts from the source article.
Acting career
After leaving the military with an honorable discharge, McGhee went back to acting with the Dallas Theater Center's Janus Players. In 1954, he broke new ground as the first Black actor to take on professional stage roles in Dallas that had no racial restrictions. His career included more than 35 theater productions and over 15 films, such as High Yellow (1965), Curse of the Swamp Creature (1966), Don't Look in the Basement (1973), Drive-In (1976), 1918 (1985), and Riverbend (1989). He was also one of the earliest unionized Black actors in Dallas, with membership in both SAG and AFTRA.
Did You Know?
- At age 15, McGhee worked as an elevator operator at the Baker Hotel in Dallas when an ammonia explosion occurred; he was temporarily reported dead but survived with amnesia.
- He served as an Army corporal in the 31st Unit division during the Korean War and performed for troops at Camp Atterbury, Indiana.
- McGhee was among soldiers exposed to atmospheric nuclear testing at Yucca Flats, Nevada, reportedly selected because of injuries he survived in the Baker Hotel blast.
More in People with Amnesia
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: William McGhee (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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