Percy Rodriguez (born Percy Rodrigues, June 13, 1918 â€" September 6,
2007) was a Canadian actor who appeared in many television shows and
films from the 1950s to the 1980s. He was of Afro-Portuguese heritage
and was born in the Saint-Henri neighbourhood of Montreal. Born with
the surname "Rodrigues," he adopted the spelling "Rodriguez" after it
was misspelled in a Broadway program early on in his career. Rodriguez
was also known for his extensive voiceover work as the narrator of
film trailers, television spots and documentaries.Rodriguez was the
oldest of three siblings and was of African and Portuguese descent.
After his father left home while Percy was in his early teens, Percy
began working to help provide for his family. He developed an interest
in boxing and acting, becoming a professional boxer while
simultaneously exploring acting jobs. He ended up joining Montreal’s
Negro Theatre Guild and ultimately won the Canadian Drama Festival
acting award in 1939. Despite the award, finding a legitimate acting
job was difficult, which led to him working as a toolmaker and
machinist for 10 years in order to survive.Rodriguez began his acting
career in the 1930s, appearing in stage plays and television series in
his native country. He eventually moved to New York City, where he
made his Broadway theatre debut in Lillian Hellman's Toys in the Attic
in 1960. Appearing next in The Actors Studio Theatre production of
James Baldwin's Blues for Mister Charlie (and, shortly thereafter, in
an abbreviated television adaptation on CBS), Rodriguez subsequently
became a life member of the Studio.Known for his rich and distinctive
voice, Rodriguez became one of the few black actors in the 1960s who
were able to circumvent restrictive and negative stereotypes. He
managed to avoid the stereotypical roles given to black actors at the
time and was known for applying and projecting quiet authority and
inner calm during his roles, as well as for the touch of grey in his
hair. He went on to star on American television in programs such as
The Nurses, Naked City, The Wild Wild West, Route 66 and Star Trek but
first gained widespread notoriety in 1968 for his role as neurosurgeon
Dr. Harry Miles in the prime time soap opera Peyton Place, seen as a
breakthrough white-collar role for a black actor. He also appeared in
the made-for-television films The Old Man Who Cried Wolf (1970), Ring
of Passion (1978), Angel Dusted (1981), and the miniseries Roots: The
Next Generations (1979). Through his depictions on television, Percy
was seen as an excellent supporting character actor.
2007) was a Canadian actor who appeared in many television shows and
films from the 1950s to the 1980s. He was of Afro-Portuguese heritage
and was born in the Saint-Henri neighbourhood of Montreal. Born with
the surname "Rodrigues," he adopted the spelling "Rodriguez" after it
was misspelled in a Broadway program early on in his career. Rodriguez
was also known for his extensive voiceover work as the narrator of
film trailers, television spots and documentaries.Rodriguez was the
oldest of three siblings and was of African and Portuguese descent.
After his father left home while Percy was in his early teens, Percy
began working to help provide for his family. He developed an interest
in boxing and acting, becoming a professional boxer while
simultaneously exploring acting jobs. He ended up joining Montreal’s
Negro Theatre Guild and ultimately won the Canadian Drama Festival
acting award in 1939. Despite the award, finding a legitimate acting
job was difficult, which led to him working as a toolmaker and
machinist for 10 years in order to survive.Rodriguez began his acting
career in the 1930s, appearing in stage plays and television series in
his native country. He eventually moved to New York City, where he
made his Broadway theatre debut in Lillian Hellman's Toys in the Attic
in 1960. Appearing next in The Actors Studio Theatre production of
James Baldwin's Blues for Mister Charlie (and, shortly thereafter, in
an abbreviated television adaptation on CBS), Rodriguez subsequently
became a life member of the Studio.Known for his rich and distinctive
voice, Rodriguez became one of the few black actors in the 1960s who
were able to circumvent restrictive and negative stereotypes. He
managed to avoid the stereotypical roles given to black actors at the
time and was known for applying and projecting quiet authority and
inner calm during his roles, as well as for the touch of grey in his
hair. He went on to star on American television in programs such as
The Nurses, Naked City, The Wild Wild West, Route 66 and Star Trek but
first gained widespread notoriety in 1968 for his role as neurosurgeon
Dr. Harry Miles in the prime time soap opera Peyton Place, seen as a
breakthrough white-collar role for a black actor. He also appeared in
the made-for-television films The Old Man Who Cried Wolf (1970), Ring
of Passion (1978), Angel Dusted (1981), and the miniseries Roots: The
Next Generations (1979). Through his depictions on television, Percy
was seen as an excellent supporting character actor.
Share this
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
Join us for free and get valuable content delivered right through your inbox.