Joe Seneca

Joe Seneca

  • Birthday: 1919-01-14
  • Deathday: 1996-08-15
  • Place of birth: Cleveland, Ohio, USA

Biography

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Joe Seneca (January 14, 1919 – August 15, 1996) was an American film and television actor who had a lengthy Hollywood career, portraying bit parts in many major films and television sitcoms spanning from the 1970s to the 1990s. Seneca was born Joel McGhee in Cleveland, Ohio. Prior to his Hollywood career, Seneca belonged to the R&B singing group "The Three Riffs", performing at upscale supper clubs in New York City. He was also a songwriter and had big hits with "Talk to Me" which was sung by Little Willie John and "Break It to Me Gently", which was a smash twice, once by Brenda Lee in 1962, and once by Juice Newton in 1982. His song "It's Gonna Work Out Fine" was recorded by Ike & Tina Turner, Manfred Mann and The Spencer Davis Group. Arguably his most well-known roles are that of bluesman Willie Brown in Crossroads and Dr. Meddows in The Blob, the evil head of a government team sent to contain the title creature. Seneca also made multiple appearances on The Cosby Show as Hillman President Dr. Zachariah J. Hanes. He also played Alvin Newcastle [1]on an episode of The Golden Girls entitled "Old Friends." Joe appeared in Spike Lee's "School Daze" as the Mission College President McPherson in 1988. Joe appeared on Matlock: The Blues Singer Episode May 9, 1989. Joe also appeared in Michael Jackson's "The Way You Make Me Feel" Music Video In the late 80's. He died from asthma at the age of 77. Description above from the Wikipedia article Joe Seneca, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Filmography

Crossroads

1986

As Willie Brown

The Vernon Johns Story

1994

As Deacon Wilkes

School Daze

1988

As President Harold McPherson

Wilma

1977

As Ed Rudolph

A Gathering of Old Men

1987

As Clatoo

The Blob

1988

As Dr. Meddows

Mississippi Masala

1991

As Williben Williams

Tarzan in Manhattan

1989

As Joseph

Silverado

1985

As Ezra

The Verdict

1982

As Dr. Thompson

Big Shots

1987

As Ferryman

The Evil That Men Do

1984

As Santiago

The Tenth Month

1979

As Doorman

Kramer vs. Kramer

1979

As Partygoer

Malcolm X

1992

As Toomer

A Time to Kill

1996

As Reverend Isaiah Street

The Taking of Pelham One Two Three

1974

As Police Sergeant

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