13th July 2020
It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing Earl Cameron. In recent years we have been proud to record his birthday as his innings edged towards the century and beyond. This year, the 8th August, would have seen him reach 103, but it was not to be.
His appearance in Pool of London (1951) made him one of the first black actors to have a starring role in a British film. In later years he can also be seen in The Woman for Joe (1955), Sapphire (1959), Flame in the Streets (1961), Thunderball (1965) and The Sandwich Man (1966), all of which we have listed. He made extensive TV appearances through the years and according to imdb he appears in a ‘short’ as recently as 2013.
Wikipedia reports that his children issued the following statement:
“Our family have been overwhelmed by the outpourings of love and respect we have received at the news of our father’s passing … As an artist and as an actor he refused to take roles that demeaned or stereotyped the character of people of colour. He was truly a man who stood by his moral principles and was inspirational.”
All particularly relevant at this time, a true gentle man.