Scott W. Davis
06-17-2003, 02:17 AM
The reported the passing of actor William Marshall on Monday. Fans of horror will remember Marshall as the title character in the blacksploitation classics BLACULA and SCREAM, BLACULA SCREAM. He was also featured in the EXORCIST knock-off ABBY, which has gained some cult notoriety in recent years.
Marshall began his career in various roles. However, many times African Americans didn't get the roles they deserved. So, Marshall was featured in various Sabu and TARZAN films. Blacula gave Marshall the opportunity to make a part his own. It's one of the most truly memorable characters to come out of the 1970s horror cycle. It helped open the genre for African Americans and showed that horror is not exclusive to one race or culture, that fear and tragedy is something we all share in ourselves.
A classically trained actor, Marshall was celebrated for his performance as OTHELLO in 1981. He also appeared in some memorable television roles on STAR TREK and MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. Following his BLACULA fame, he appeared on TV as the Grim Reaper on BENSON and as the King of Cartoons on PEE-WEE'S PLAYHOUSE. Most recently, he appeared in the campy films SORCERESS by Jim Wynorski and DINOSAUR VALLEY GIRLS. However, failing health got the better from him. He had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease and finally died in a Hollywood rest home.
William Marshall is gone from this earth. But his work lives on and the Black Prince of Shadows will stalk the earth for years to come.
William Marshall, R.I.P.
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Marshall began his career in various roles. However, many times African Americans didn't get the roles they deserved. So, Marshall was featured in various Sabu and TARZAN films. Blacula gave Marshall the opportunity to make a part his own. It's one of the most truly memorable characters to come out of the 1970s horror cycle. It helped open the genre for African Americans and showed that horror is not exclusive to one race or culture, that fear and tragedy is something we all share in ourselves.
A classically trained actor, Marshall was celebrated for his performance as OTHELLO in 1981. He also appeared in some memorable television roles on STAR TREK and MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. Following his BLACULA fame, he appeared on TV as the Grim Reaper on BENSON and as the King of Cartoons on PEE-WEE'S PLAYHOUSE. Most recently, he appeared in the campy films SORCERESS by Jim Wynorski and DINOSAUR VALLEY GIRLS. However, failing health got the better from him. He had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease and finally died in a Hollywood rest home.
William Marshall is gone from this earth. But his work lives on and the Black Prince of Shadows will stalk the earth for years to come.
William Marshall, R.I.P.
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[I 30h resevil_08 I]Comment on the life and work of William Marshall in our !
But although