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January 2008 A LOOK BLACK AT 2007

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A LOOK BLACK AT 2007, continued See Previous Page Back to Beginning COMMENTARY by Editor Wilson Morales   REST IN PEACE These individuals contributed their talent to the film industry. Ousmane Sembène - a pioneer of African cinema and one of the foremost filmmakers in world cinema, making such films as Black Girl (1966), Xala (1974), Faat Kiné (2000), and most recently the anti-female circumcision movie Moolaadé (2004). Sembene died on June 10, 2007 at the age of 84, following a long illness. Barbara McNair, 72 - became a film and television star in an era when such opportunities were opening up for black women, died on Feb. 4 after a battle with throat cancer. She was 72. McNair made her Hollywood acting debut in 1968 in the film, "If He Hollers, Let Him Go." She later starred opposite Sydney Poitier in "They Call Me Mister Tibbs" and with Elvis Presley in "Change of Habit." She hosted television's "The Barbara McNair Show," a musical and comedy program in the late 1960s and early 1970s. As a singer, one of her biggest hits was "You Could Never Love Him." Calvin Lockhart, 72. An actor from the Bahamas who played character roles in many films, including "Cotton Comes To Harlem," "Myra Breckinridge," and "Coming To America." Lockhart has a familiar face as he starred in dozens of films. He is probably best known for his role as Biggie Smalls in "Let's Do It Again," in 1976. He died in March at the age of 72 after suffering a stroke. Roscoe Lee Browne, 81. Rich voice and dignified bearing brought him an Emmy Award and a Tony nomination, died on April 11 after a long battle with cancer. He was 81. Browne's career included classic theater and TV cartoons. He also was a poet and a former world-class athlete. His deep, cultured voice was heard narrating the 1995 hit movie "Babe.". Carl Wright, 75. - began his career as a tap dancer and comedian and later appeared in movies including "Barbershop" and "Big Momma's House," died, on May 19. He was 75. Wright's film credits also include "Soul Food," "Barbershop 2: Back in Business" and "The Cookout." Joe Hunter - Motown's first bandleader and a three-time Grammy winner with the Funk Brothers, died on Feb. 2. He was 79. Hunter was a diabetic, but the cause of his death was not known at press time. Hunter was Motown legend Berry Gordy Jr.'s first hire. He backed up acts such as Smokey Robinson and the Miracles on piano in the late 1950s and also served as Motown's first bandleader in the early days. Appeared in the film ‘Standing in the Shadows of Motown’     See Previous Page Back to Beginning

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