- published: 17 Oct 2012
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Robert Guillaume (born Robert Peter Williams, November 30, 1927) is an American stage and television actor, known for his role as Benson Du Bois on the TV-series Soap and the spin-off Benson, voicing the mandrill Rafiki in The Lion King and as Isaac Jaffe on Sports Night. In a career that has spanned more than 50 years he has worked extensively on stage (including a Tony Award nomination), television (including winning two Emmy Awards), and film.
Robert Guillaume was born as Robert Peter Williams (Guillaume is the French form of William) in St. Louis, Missouri. He studied at St. Louis University and Washington University and served in the United States Army before pursuing an acting career.
On leaving the university, Robert joined the Karamu Players in Cleveland and performed in musical comedies and opera. He toured the world in 1959 as a cast member of the Broadway musical Free and Easy. He made his Broadway debut in Kwamina in 1961. (A reference on a Columbia LP shows this as "Dwamina".) Other stage appearances included Golden Boy, Tambourines to Glory, Guys and Dolls, for which he received a Tony Award nomination,Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, the Los Angeles production of The Phantom of the Opera (succeeding Michael Crawford in the lead role), and Purlie!. Added roles were in Katherine Dunham's Bambouche and in Fly The Blackbird. In 1964 he portrayed Sportin' Life in a revival of Porgy and Bess at New York's City Center. Robert has been a member of the Robert de Cormier Singers, performing in concerts and on television. He has soloed on The Tonight Show. He recorded a LP record, Columbia CS9033, titled Just Arrived as a member of The Pilgrims, a folk trio, with Angeline Butler and Millard Williams.
Robert Guillaume on playing "Benson DuBois" on "Soap" - EMMYTVLEGENDS.ORG
Robert Guillaume - Music of the Night
The Lion King: Narration by Robert Guillaume (Part 1)
Robert Guillaume Interview -- The Lion King 3D
EXCLUSIVE: Robert Guillaume Reveals He Didn't Want to Play Benson At First Because of 'Serving' R…
Benson Star Robert Guillaume: I Had an Ego | Where Are They Now | Oprah Winfrey Network
Robert Guillaume Sings Love On The Rocks on Mandrell Show 2/14/81
Guji Guji read by Robert Guillaume
Robert Guillaume "The Phantom of the Opera"
Phantom of the Opera - Robert Guillaume and Dale Kristien - Music of the Night
Robert Guillaume sings The Music Of The Night
Gladys Knight & Robert Guillaume "What Are Friends For" (1983)
Lean On Me (Movie) - Benson is the H.N.I.C.
Robert Guillaume - Archive Interview Part 1 of 6