Quick Facts
ScorpioBiography
Arthur French (born 6 November 1931) is an American film, television, and stage actor active since the late 1960s. He is best known for his work on stage in New York.
Early life
Arthur French was born as Arthur Wellesley French Jr. on November 6, 1931, in New York City, New York. His parents Arthur and Ursilla French both immigrated to the U.S. from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Career
Stage
In his career spanning over fifty years, French has worked regularly on the stage. He worked extensively with the Negro Ensemble Company (NEC) and has played a wide variety of roles including in:
- Raisin' Hell in the Son, as "Hulan Jackson" alongside Bette Howard and Janet MacLachlan (1962, at Provincetown Playhouse, New York)
- Black Girl, as "Earl" alongside Minnie Gentry and Leslie Uggams (1971, at Theatre de Lys, New York)
- You Can't Take It With You, as "Donald" alongside Meg Mundy and James Coco (1983, at Plymouth Theatre, New York)
- Dividing the Estate, as "Doug" alongside Hallie Foote, Penny Fuller, and Elizabeth Ashley (2007, at 59E59 Theater, New York)
- The Book of Lambert, as "Otto" alongside Gloria Sauve and Joresa Blount (2009, La Mama Experimental Theatre Club, New York)
Film and television
French made his film debut in 1969 in the role of a policeman in director Paul Williams' comedy drama Out of It, starring Barry Gordon and Jon Voight. He played a cop again in his next film, Dirtymouth (1970) — a biographical drama on the life of comedian Lenny Bruce.
In 1976, he had a supporting role in director Michael Schultz's comedy Car Wash, starring Ivan Dixon and DeWayne Jessie. In the following year, he was seen as "Records Clerk" in four episodes of the TV series Ryan's Hope.
In the following three decades, French was seen in a wide variety of big-ticket Hollywood films including Hanky Panky (1982), 'Round Midnight (1986), Loose Cannons (1990), Kinsey (2004), 2 Days in New York(2012), Red Hook Summer (2012), God's Pocket (2014), and The Book of Henry (2017). Most recently, in 2019, French was seen starring as "John" in Grace Rex' short film Others, alongside Evie Bae and Ann Carr.
Personal life
French's son Arthur W. French III (born April 30, 1965) also works in film/TV and has worked in the art department for the 1990 thriller Men of Respect.
Selected credits
Theatre
Acting
| Year | Production | Role | Theatre(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Raisin' Hell in the Son | Provincetown Playhouse | ||
| 1969 | Ceremonies in Dark Old Men | William Jenkins | St. Mark's Playhouse | |
| 1971 | Black Girl | Earl | Theatre de Lys | |
| 1978 | Nevis Mountain Dew | Ayton Morris | St. Mark's Playhouse | |
| 1981 | The Amen Corner | Brother Boxer | Crossroads Theater Company | |
| 1983 | You Can't Take It With You | Donald | Plymouth Theatre Royale Theatre | |
| 1991 | Mule Bone | Rev. Singletary Mayor Joe Clark (understudy) | Ethel Barrymore Theatre | |
| 1995 | Henry VI | Earl of Salisbury | Theater at St. Clements Church | |
| 2001 | Fire Drill | Carl | Urban Stages | Part of "Free Market," a collection of eight short plays. |
| Kickin Summit | Ski | Urban Stages | Part of "Free Market," a collection of eight short plays. | |
| Give Us This Day | Dad | Urban Stages | Part of "Free Market," a collection of eight short plays. | |
| The Border Crossers Lounge | Mother Perez | Urban Stages | Part of "Free Market," a collection of eight short plays. | |
| 2005 | The Master Builder | Doctor Herdal | Pearl Theatre | |
| 2006 | Two Trains Running | Holloway | Peter Norton Space | Lucille Lortel Award, Outstanding Featured Actor |
| 2007 | Dividing the Estate | Doug | 59E59 Theater A | |
| 2009 | Medea | The Riverside Theatre | ||
| The Book of Lambert | La MaMa e.t.c. | |||
| Dividing the Estate | Doug | Hartford Stage |
Directing
| Year | Production | Theatre(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | One Last Look | Old Reliable Theatre Tavern | One of the first produced plays written by steve carter |
Film
Acting
| Year | Title | Role | Distributor | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Car Wash | Charlie | Universal | |
| 1986 | 'Round Midnight | Booker | Warner Brothers | |
| 1994 | Crooklyn | West Indian Store Manager | Universal | |
| 2012 | Where is Joel Baum? | Detective Robertson | Palinka Picutres | |
| 2013 | 2 Days in New York | Lee Robinson | Magnolia Pictures | |
| Movie 43 | Old Man | Relativity Media |
Television
Acting
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986–1987 | Another World | Al Edwards | 2 episodes |