Robert Guillaume

Biography

Robert Guillaume, born Robert Peter Williams on November 30, 1927 in St. Louis, Missouri, was an American actor and singer whose career spanned more than fifty years. Raised by his grandmother, he discovered his love for performance early and studied at St. Louis University and Washington University. After serving in the U.S. Army, he turned fully to acting and musical theatre, adopting the stage name “Guillaume.” He earned acclaim for both his stage and screen work: nominated for a Tony Award for his role in Guys and Dolls and making history as the first Black actor to play the title role in The Phantom of the Opera. On television he became well known for playing Benson DuBois in Soap and its spinoff Benson, winning Emmy Awards for both. He voiced Rafiki in Disney’s The Lion King, winning a Grammy for the recording of its spoken-word version. Later he portrayed Isaac Jaffe in Sports Night. Guillaume passed away on October 24, 2017 in Los Angeles after a battle with prostate cancer. He left a legacy of powerful performances that combined warmth, humor, and gravitas.

Known For

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