William McGhee (July 24, 1930 â€" February 17, 2007) was an American
stage, film and television actor. He was also known professionally as
Bill McGee, Bill McGhee and William Bill McGhee.On June 21, 1946, aged
15, McGhee held an elevator operator job at the Baker Hotel in
downtown Dallas, when an ammonia explosion occurred during work on a
refrigeration unit. He was temporarily reported as dead in the media,
but he survived. He suffered amnesia, but was fully restored to
health. He resumed his pursuit for the theater after recovery.He
served his country as an Army corporal in the 31st Unit
division[clarification needed] in the Korean War, and performed for
the troops at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. He was among the soldiers
exposed to atmospheric nuclear testing at Yucca Flats, Nevada to
measure the bomb's consequences. He was reportedly selected for the
mission because of the injuries he had survived in the Baker Hotel
blast.After his honorable discharge from the military, McGhee returned
to performing at the Dallas Theater Center's Janus Players. In 1954,
he broke racial barriers and was the first African-American actor to
perform professionally on the Dallas stage in roles without racial
requirements. He performed in more than 35 theater productions and
stage plays, and in more than 15 films, including High Yellow (1965),
Curse of the Swamp Creature (1966), Don't Look in the Basement (1973),
Drive-In (1976), 1918 (1985) and Riverbend (1989).
stage, film and television actor. He was also known professionally as
Bill McGee, Bill McGhee and William Bill McGhee.On June 21, 1946, aged
15, McGhee held an elevator operator job at the Baker Hotel in
downtown Dallas, when an ammonia explosion occurred during work on a
refrigeration unit. He was temporarily reported as dead in the media,
but he survived. He suffered amnesia, but was fully restored to
health. He resumed his pursuit for the theater after recovery.He
served his country as an Army corporal in the 31st Unit
division[clarification needed] in the Korean War, and performed for
the troops at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. He was among the soldiers
exposed to atmospheric nuclear testing at Yucca Flats, Nevada to
measure the bomb's consequences. He was reportedly selected for the
mission because of the injuries he had survived in the Baker Hotel
blast.After his honorable discharge from the military, McGhee returned
to performing at the Dallas Theater Center's Janus Players. In 1954,
he broke racial barriers and was the first African-American actor to
perform professionally on the Dallas stage in roles without racial
requirements. He performed in more than 35 theater productions and
stage plays, and in more than 15 films, including High Yellow (1965),
Curse of the Swamp Creature (1966), Don't Look in the Basement (1973),
Drive-In (1976), 1918 (1985) and Riverbend (1989).
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