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Joe Seneca

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Joe Seneca (January 14, 1919 – August 15, 1996) was an American film and television actor who had a lengthy Hollywood career, portraying bit parts in many major films and television sitcoms spanning from the 1970s to the 1990s. Seneca was born Joel McGhee in Cleveland, Ohio. Prior to his Hollywood career, Seneca belonged to the R&B singing group "The Three Riffs", performing at upscale supper clubs in New York City. He was also a songwriter and had big hits with "Talk to Me" which was sung by Little Willie John and "Break It to Me Gently", which was a smash twice, once by Brenda Lee in 1962, and once by Juice Newton in 1982. His song "It's Gonna Work Out Fine" was recorded by Ike & Tina Turner, Manfred Mann and The Spencer Davis Group. Arguably his most well-known roles are that of bluesman Willie Brown in Crossroads and Dr. Meddows in The Blob, the evil head of a government team sent to contain the title creature. Seneca also made multiple appearances on The Cosby Show as Hillman President Dr. Zachariah J. Hanes. He also played Alvin Newcastle [1]on an episode of The Golden Girls entitled "Old Friends." Joe appeared in Spike Lee's "School Daze" as the Mission College President McPherson in 1988. Joe appeared on Matlock: The Blues Singer Episode May 9, 1989. Joe also appeared in Michael Jackson's "The Way You Make Me Feel" Music Video In the late 80's. He died from asthma at the age of 77. Description above from the Wikipedia article Joe Seneca, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.


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Born:
Jan 14, 1919 In Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Movie/TV Credits:
36
First Appeared:
In the movie The Taking of Pelham One Two Three 1974-10-02
Latest Project:
Movie A Time to Kill 1996-07-24
Known For
Poster of A Gathering of Old Men
Poster of The House of Dies Drear
Poster of The Evil That Men Do
Poster of Wilma
Filmography
Movie A Time to Kill Reverend Isaiah Street 1996-07-24
Movie The Vernon Johns Story Deacon Wilkes 1994-01-15
Series Christy Unknown 1994-04-03
Series seaQuest DSV Professor Bingham 1993-09-12
Movie The Saint of Fort Washington Spits 1993-11-03
Movie Malcolm X Toomer 1992-11-18
Movie Mississippi Masala Williben Williams 1991-09-18
Series Law & Order Lionel Jackson 1990-09-13
Movie Tarzan in Manhattan Joseph 1989-04-15
Series Doogie Howser, M.D. Unknown 1989-09-19
Movie The Blob Dr. Meddows 1988-08-05
Movie School Daze President Harold McPherson 1988-02-12
Series China Beach Unknown 1988-04-26
Movie A Gathering of Old Men Clatoo 1987-05-10
Series Friday the 13th: The Series Unknown 1987-10-03
Movie Big Shots Ferryman 1987-10-02
Movie Crossroads Willie Brown 1986-03-14
Series Matlock Unknown 1986-03-03
Movie Samaritan: The Mitch Snyder Story Reverend 1986-05-19
Series Throb Unknown 1986-09-20
Series 227 Unknown 1985-09-14
Movie Silverado Ezra 1985-07-10
Series The Golden Girls Unknown 1985-09-14
Series The Equalizer Unknown 1985-09-18
Series Spenser: For Hire Unknown 1985-09-20
Movie The Evil That Men Do Santiago 1984-03-14
Movie The House of Dies Drear Pluto 1984-06-01
Movie Solomon Northup's Odyssey Noah 1984-12-11
Series The Cosby Show Unknown 1984-09-20
Movie The Verdict Dr. Thompson 1982-12-08
Movie The Gentleman Bandit 1981-05-06
Movie The Tenth Month Doorman 1979-09-16
Movie Kramer vs. Kramer Partygoer 1979-12-07
Movie The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh Mr. Sweets 1979-11-06
Movie Wilma Ed Rudolph 1977-12-19
Movie The Taking of Pelham One Two Three Police Sergeant 1974-10-02