April 10, 2007
Calvin Lockhart, 1934 - 2007.
The year was 1970. The movie was Cotton Comes to Harlem. The actor was Calvin Lockhart. The question was: "Am I black enough for you?" The answer would change Hollywood.
Joal Ryan, E!.
Calvin Lockhart, an actor who won acclaim for his roles as underworld figures in 1970s blaxploitation films, died on March 29. He was 72.
The AP.
"Calvin had wonderful range as an actor," [Sidney] Poitier told [the Los Angeles Times] this week. "He really had such enormous promise. I don't know why he was not more utilized, because he was so good. As a matter of fact, he had movie-star qualities. He was a very handsome man, his impact on the screen was striking and his work was highly praised."
Dennis McLellan, LAT.
He is perhaps one of the most beautiful men of African descent ever to inhabit a film frame and beyond that, a captivating presence to watch onscreen.
The Cocoa Lounge.
Posted by dwhudson at April 10, 2007 12:00 PM
I was first aware of Lockhart in two of his now-forgotten British films, "Joanna" and "Leo the Last". It may be noteworthy that the character he played in "Lets Do It Again" is the original Biggie Smalls.
Posted by: Peter Nellhaus at April 10, 2007 3:07 PMI just learned of the passing of Calvin Lockhart. I am devasted! Words cannont explain what a loss I feel. I have been in-love with Calvin Lockhart since the age of 10 years-old! I will never forget the first time I saw him on screen at the age of 10 years old at a movie theatre called "The Capital" on 52nd Street in Philadelphia. I froze like a deer in headlights!! What a HANDSOME, STUNNING and wonderful actor I thought he was. His voice could melt ice. I grew up watching his movies "Let's Do It Again, and "Uptown Saturday Night" over and over and over again. An 8 x 10 glossy colored framed photo of him graces my bedroom window seal.
I am crushed by his passing. And worst of all, he died on March 29, 2007, my 40th BIRTHDAY!
My deepest heartfelt sympanthy goes out to his wife and family. You were extremely blessed to have such and incredible man in your lives and thank you for sharing him with me on screen. He will be increasingly missed but NEVER FORGOTTEN!
Rest in God's Loving Arms Calvin!!
I feel so saddened by the loss of Calvin Lockhart. I could not believe it...so many of the great Black stars from my childhood are leaving us....I felt this same, tremendous sense of loss in January 2004 when Ron O'Neal "Super Fly" passed away (another talented, beautiful Black star who was not fully utilized to his potential).
Mr. Lockhart's talent, artistry, and of course, very handsome and beautiful features made me proud of my Black heritage as I witnessed him on film. May God be with his wife and children, his extended family, and of course, with the rest of his fans. Thank you, Calvin Lockhart, for sharing your talent and making us proud.
Posted by: Andra Rivers-Jones at April 16, 2007 12:05 AMI first saw Mr.Lockhart "Halls of anger" he was like rising star during 70s was like Denzel Washington blaxploitation genre. Like many black-actors of that 70s genre made me proud of my heritage. I remembering he was a charitic,handsome,leadingman. I felt like many black actors of that time, with goodlooks, unimous talents he never guite got the Hollywood fame due discrimination in american during those decades and lack of opportunity minority actors was the reason. He brought a unique presence to screen and demanding smooth along great physical attributes.
He will be miss...rest in peace Mr. Calvin Lockhart thank you for showing us your talents on screen.
Posted by: Ladrick Simon at April 25, 2007 5:18 AMI concur with Jackie Jenkins. We are of the same generation. My friends could never understand my fascination for Mr. Lockhart twenty years after the release of Uptown Saturday Night. He remains the sexiest, most striking man in Hollywood. I will endeavor to collect all of his films.
Rest in peace!
Posted by: Natalie Hill at May 18, 2007 9:30 AM
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