Quick Facts
Biography
Edmund Cambridge (September 18, 1920 – August 18, 2001) was an American actor and director who was a founding member of the Negro Ensemble Company (NEC) and the Kilpatrick-Cambridge Theater Arts School. Cambridge acted on the first season of Good Times in 1974 (Junior Gets a Patron) as Leroy Jackson. A man whom discovered JJ's artistry, buys him art supplies and wants to be his patron. Only one problem, James Sr (John Amos) is none too happy about the arrangement. 20 years prior, Jackson and James as best friends decided to go into business together. Jackson didn't keep his end of the deal.
Biography
Edmund James Cambridge, Jr. was born on September 18, 1920 in Harlem, New York.
At age 15, Cambridge began his professional career at Swan's Paradise in Harlem as a chorus boy. This assignment ended when his mother discovered that he was sneaking out of bed to do the job.
In 1968 he joined Robert Hooks, Douglas Turner Ward and several other actors to start the Negro Ensemble Company. He staged Ceremonies in Dark Old Men, as one of the company's first productions. The Lonne Elder III play went on to win many awards including a Drama Desk Award for the author. Other productions Cambridge directed at NEC include steve carter's critically acclaimed drama, Eden.
A longtime resident of Los Angeles, Cambridge died on August 18, 2001 in New York, New York as a result of injuries sustained from a fall.
Selected Credits
Theatre&Movies
Acting
| Year | Production | Role | Theatre(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | One Crack Out | Earl | Marymount Manhattan Theatre | |
| 1951 | The Taming of the Shrew | Servant/ Officer | City Center | |
| 1947 | Our Lan' | Chester | Royale Theatre | |
| 1972 | Trouble Man | |||
| 1975 | Friday Foster | Jake Wayne |
Directing
| Year | Production | Theatre(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Nevis Mountain Dew | Los Angeles Actors Theatre | |
| 1980 | Eden | Los Angeles Actors Theatre | Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award |
| 1976 | Eden | St. Mark's Playhouse | |
| 1971 | Behold! Cometh the Vanderkellans | Theatre de Lys | |
| 1969 | Ceremonies in Dark Old Men | St. Mark's Playhouse |
Awards and nominations
Awards
- 1980 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award - Direction, Eden