- Robin Harris
Infobox Comedian
name = Robin Harris
imagesize =
caption =
birth_name = Robin Hughes Harris
birth_date = birth date|1953|7|30|mf=y
birth_place =Chicago, Illinois ,United States
death_date = death date and age|1990|3|18|1953|7|30|mf=y
death_place =Chicago, Illinois ,United States
medium = Stand-up, film
nationality = American
active = 1980–1990
genre =Satire ,Observational comedy ,Improvisational comedy ,Black comedy
subject =
influences =
influenced =
spouse = Exetta Harris (? -March 18 ,1990 ) (his death)
website =Robin Hughes Harris (
August 30 ,1953 –March 18 ,1990 ) was an Americancomedian andactor , best known for his recurring comic sketch about "Bébé's Kids".Childhood
Born in
Chicago, Illinois , his father, Earl, was a welder and his mother, Mattie, was a factory seamstress. [ [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1117700.html Robin Harris; Tragedy of a Funny Man; At His Funeral in Los Angeles, Tribute to a `Down-Home' Comedian | Article from The Washington Post | HighBeam Research ] ] In 1961, the family moved toLos Angeles where he attended Manual Arts High School. A track star, Harris received a scholarship and attendedOttawa University inKansas . During this time, he began to hone his craft of comedy. He worked forHughes Aircraft , a rental car company, andSecurity Pacific Bank to pay his bills. In 1980, he debuted at Los Angeles’ Comedy Store with little response.Career
1985 was his year; as the
master of ceremonies at the Comedy Act Theater, his “old school ” brand of humor began to gain him a mainstream following. A large-eyed stand-up churlish brand of humor and quick put-downs were his trademark. Harris made a promising feature debut playing a no-nonsense bartender in the feature film "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka " (1988). Harris performed inSpike Lee ’s "Do the Right Thing " (1989). As "Sweet Dick Willie," Harris served as part of the neighborhood "Greek chorus" that commented on the events of an increasingly tense day. Harris was Pop, the no-nonsense, quick-witted father of Kid in "House Party" (1990). He followed up later that year with a small turn as ajazz club MC in "Mo' Better Blues ". He also had a role inEddie Murphy 's "Harlem Nights " (1989).Fellow comedian and actor Raymond "The RayVolution" Baxter credits Harris with him becoming a stand up, "I saw Mr. Harris at home in Chicago as a kid at a club my aunt worked for and he was nice enough to see me after a set and joke around with me. He said I was funny enough to get on the circuit at 11! So that day I went to work on my material..."cite quote
Bébé's Kids
In Harris' "Bébé's Kids" routines, Harris' girlfriend Jamika would insist that he take her friend Bébé's three ill-behaved children with them on a date, as she continually agreed to babysit them. The children would regularly make a fool out of and/or annoy Harris. "We Bébé's kids," they would proclaim, "we don't die...we "multiply."
The
Hudlin Brothers had intended to make a feature film based upon the "Bébé's Kids" sketches, but Harris died while the film was in pre-production. "Bébé's Kids " instead became ananimated feature —the first ever to feature an all-Black main cast—directed byBruce W. Smith and featuring the voices ofFaizon Love (as Harris),Vanessa Bell Calloway ,Marques Houston ,Nell Carter , andTone Lōc . [cite news|url=http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9E0CEED6103EF932A3575BC0A964958260|title=Bebe's Kids (1992)|last=James|first=Caryn|date=1992-08-01|publisher="The New York Times"|accessdate=2008-08-21] [cite web|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,315785,00.html|title=In Living Color|date=1991-10-11|publisher=ew.com|accessdate=2008-08-21]Death
In the early hours of
March 18 ,1990 , Harris died in his sleep due of a heart attack in his Chicago hotel room after performing for a sold out crowd at the Regal Theater.cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1997/oct/22/sports/sp-45352|title=A New Act to Catch|last=Norwood|first=Robyn |date=1997-10-22|publisher="The Los Angeles Times"|accessdate=2008-08-21] Harris was transported back to California, and interred inInglewood Park Cemetery , near Los Angeles.At the time of Harris' death, his wife was pregnant with their son, Robin Harris, Jr.
In 2006, a posthumous
DVD entitled "We Don't Die, We Multiply: The Robin Harris Story" (2006), was released. The film features never seen before performances by Harris and accolades from his contemporariesMartin Lawrence ,Bernie Mac ,Cedric the Entertainer ,D.L. Hughley ,Robert Townsend , andJoe Torry . [cite web|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1551429,00.html|title="We Don't Die, We Multiply: The Robin Harris Story" DVD Review|last=Watson|first=Margeaux |date=2006-10-26|publisher=ew.com|accessdate=2008-08-21] The film also features a rap performed and dedicated to Harris by his son, Robin Harris, Jr. [cite web|url=http://www.blackamericaweb.com/site.aspx/bawnews/robinharris1018|title=Robin Harris' life and comic legacy depicted in new documentary|last=Kennedy|first=John |date=2006-10-18|publisher=blackamericaweb.com|accessdate=2008-08-21]Filmography
Award nominations
References
External links
*imdb name|id=0365264|name=Robin Harris
*amg name|1:355241
*tv.com person|id=277154|name=Robin Harris
*Find A Grave|id=1390|name=Robin HarrisPersondata
NAME= Harris, Robin
ALTERNATIVE NAMES= Harris, Robin Hughes
SHORT DESCRIPTION= Comedian, actor
DATE OF BIRTH=August 30 ,1953
PLACE OF BIRTH=Chicago, Illinois ,United States
DATE OF DEATH=March 18 ,1990
PLACE OF DEATH=Chicago, Illinois ,United States
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