Duane Jones

Duane Jones
Jones in Night of the Living Dead
Born	Duane L. Jones February 2, 1937 New York City, New York, U.S.
Died	July 22, 1988 (aged 51) Mineola, New York, U.S.
Nationality	American
Other names	Duane L. Jones
Occupation	Actor, director, teacher
Years active	1968–1988

Duane L. Jones (February 2, 1937 – July 22, 1988) was an American actor, best known for his leading role as Ben in the 1968 horror film Night of the Living Dead.^[1][2] He was director of the Maguire Theater at the State University of New York at Old Westbury, and the artistic director of the Richard Allen Center for Culture and Art in Manhattan.^[3]

He is not to be confused with another actor of the same name, also known as Barron Winchester.

Biography

Jones was born on February 2, 1937. His mother was Mildred Gordon Jones and he had a sister, Marva (later Marva Brooks) and a brother, Henry.^[3] A graduate of the Sorbonne, he studied acting in New York City.

Jones alongside Judith O'Dea in Night of the Living Dead.

His role in 1968 movie Night of the Living Dead marked the first time an African-American actor was cast as the star of a horror film. At the time, casting a black man as the hero of a film where all the other characters were white was potentially controversial. While some saw the casting as significant, the director of the film states "Jones simply gave the best audition." He was executive director of the Black Theater Alliance, a federation of theater companies, from 1976-81.^[3]

He taught acting styles at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. As executive director of the Richard Allen Center for Culture and Art (RACCA), he promoted African-American theater. After leaving the American Academy of Dramatic Arts he taught a select group of students privately in Manhattan, by invitation only. His hand-selected students were of diverse ethnic backgrounds.

Death

Jones died of cardiopulmonary arrest at Winthrop-University Hospital in Mineola, Long Island, New York on July 22, 1988, aged 51.^[3]

Legacy

• The Duane L. Jones Recital Hall at State University of New York at Old Westbury is named after him.^[3]
• In the zombie graphic novel The Walking Dead, one of the characters is named Duane Jones.

Filmography

Year	Film	Role	Notes
1968	Night of the Living Dead	Ben
1973	Ganja and Hess	Doctor Hess Green	Also released as "Blood Couple"
1982	Losing Ground	Duke
1984	Beat Street	Robert
1986	Vampires	Charles Harmon
1988	Negatives	Paul
	Fright House	Charles Harmon
1989	To Die For	Simon Little	Posthumously released

References

1. J.C. Maçek III (June 15, 2012). "The Zombification Family Tree: Legacy of the Living Dead". PopMatters.
2. "Interview with George Romero". New York Times. March 6, 2010. Retrieved December 23, 2010. Daringly for the time, it featured a black actor, Duane Jones, in the lead, whose casual shooting by an all-white posse in the shocking climax seemed to reflect the rifts violently appearing in late-1960s American society.
3. "Duane L. Jones, 51, Actor and Director of Stage Works, Dies". New York Times. July 28, 1988. Retrieved December 23, 2010. Duane L. Jones, a director and actor, died Friday in Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola, L.I. He was 51 years old and lived in Westbury, L.I. Marva Jones Brooks, Mr. Jones's sister and the City Attorney of Atlanta, said death was caused by cardiopulmonary arrest. Mr. Jones was director of the Maguire Theater at the State University College at Old Westbury and artistic director at the Richard Allen Center for Culture and Art in Manhattan.

External links

• Duane Jones at the Internet Movie Database
• Duane Jones at Find a Grave
• Reminiscences about Duane Jones