| Carl Lee | |
|---|---|
| Born | Carl Vincent Canegata November 22, 1926 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Died | April 17, 1986 (aged 59) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor, scriptwriter, voice actor |
| Years active | 1954-1983 |
Carl Lee (November 22, 1926 – April 17, 1986), born Carl Vincent Canegata, was an African-American actor. He was also the son of late pioneering African American actor/professional boxer Canada Lee (1907–1952).[1]
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In a 2000 interview, filmmaker James Toback stated, "In the sort of hip world of New York, Carl Lee was the hip-black-actor icon. He was for hip people what Sidney Poitier was for mainstream people."[2]
Lee is perhaps best known for his portrayal of a heroin dealer, essentially the title role, in the Obie Award winning play The Connection. He later appeared in the film version.[3]
Lee, who made his first film appearance in the 1954 film Human Desire, went on to appear in such films as A Man Called Adam (1966) opposite Sammy Davis Jr. and Cicely Tyson and the now classic blaxploitation flick Superfly (with the late Ron O'Neal) in 1972. He also appeared in various television roles in such shows as The Defenders, Mannix, and Good Times (Willona's Surprise, 1976) in a memorable performance in which he portrayed Willona Woods's conniving ex-husband Ray, who makes sexual advances towards Thelma (Bernadette Stanis) under Willona and the Evans's noses.
Lee supposedly suffered a heroin overdose which led to his passing. James Toback stated that,"...[Lee] died [on the day] he did his looping on [Toback's 1983 movie] Exposed. He came to the studio to do his lines, and was clearly in the throes of one of his more intense and defeating heroin periods. He said that he desperately needed $50, which I gave him. He died of an overdose an hour later."[2]