Name William McGhee Role Film actor | ||
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Died February 17, 2007, Dallas, Texas, United States Spouse Ina B. Daniels Hurdle-McGhee Movies The Forgotten, Free - White and 21, High Yellow Similar People S F Brownrigg, Larry Buchanan, Joseph Stalin | ||
Children Derek McGhee, Dawn McGhee | ||
William mcghee staring out the window
William McGhee (July 24, 1930 – 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.
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Hotel bombing
In June 1947, aged 16, McGhee held an elevator operator job at the Baker Hotel in downtown Dallas, which was bombed. 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 theatre after recovery.
Korean War
He served his country as Army Corporal in the 31st Unit division 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.
Acting career
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).
He was one of the first unionized African-American actors in Dallas with SAG (Screen Actors Guild) and AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists).
Death
McGhee died from male breast cancer, aged 76. He was survived by his wife, Ina B. Daniels Hurdle-McGhee, a civil rights activist, as well as by his children: a son, Derek McGhee, a daughter, Dawn McGhee, an actress/director/producer. He was also survived by ten siblings.