Earle Hyman
Encyclopedia
Earle Hyman is an American
stage, television, and film actor
. Hyman is known for his recurring role on The Cosby Show
as Cliff's father, Russell Huxtable.
, Hyman's parents, Zachariah Hyman and Maria Lilly Plummer, moved their family to Brooklyn, New York, where Hyman primarily grew up. Earle Hyman became interested in acting after seeing a production of Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen
's Ghosts
. “The first play I ever saw was a present from my parents on my 13th birthday — Nazimova
in ‘Ghosts’ at Brighton Beach on the subway circuit — and I just freaked out.”
He made his Broadway stage
debut as a teenager in 1943 in Run, Little Chillun, and later joined the American Negro Theater
. The following year, Hyman began a two year run playing the role of Rudolf on Broadway in Anna Lucasta, starring Hilda Simms
in the title role.
He was a member of the American Shakespeare Theatre
beginning with its first season in 1955, and played the role of Othello
in the 1957 season.
In 1959 he appeared in the West End in the first London production of A Raisin In the Sun
alongside Kim Hamilton. The show ran at the Adelphi Theatre
and was directed again by Lloyd Richards
.
Throughout his career, Hyman has appeared in productions in both the United States
and Norway
(he is fluent in Norwegian
) where he also owns a home on Norway's west coast and an apartment in Oslo
. In 1965, won a Theatre World Award
and in 1988, he was awarded the St Olav's medal
for his work in Norwegian theater.
In addition to his stage work, Hyman has appeared in various television and film roles including adaptions of Macbeth
(1968), Julius Caesar (1979), and Coriolanus (1979), and voiced Panthro on the animated television series ThunderCats
(1985-1990). One of his most well known roles, that of Russell Huxtable in The Cosby Show
, earned him an Emmy Award
nomination in 1986 where he played the father of lead character Cliff Huxtable, played by actor Bill Cosby
despite only being 11 years senior to Cosby. He is the third cousin of singer Phyllis Hyman
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
stage, television, and film actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
. Hyman is known for his recurring role on The Cosby Show
The Cosby Show
The Cosby Show is an American television situation comedy starring Bill Cosby, which aired for eight seasons on NBC from September 20, 1984 until April 30, 1992...
as Cliff's father, Russell Huxtable.
Career
A native of Rocky Mount, North CarolinaRocky Mount, North Carolina
Rocky Mount is an All-America City Award-winning city in Edgecombe and Nash counties in the coastal plains of the state of North Carolina. Although it was not formally incorporated until February 28, 1867, the North Carolina community that became the city of Rocky Mount dates from the beginning of...
, Hyman's parents, Zachariah Hyman and Maria Lilly Plummer, moved their family to Brooklyn, New York, where Hyman primarily grew up. Earle Hyman became interested in acting after seeing a production of Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen
Henrik Ibsen
Henrik Ibsen was a major 19th-century Norwegian playwright, theatre director, and poet. He is often referred to as "the father of prose drama" and is one of the founders of Modernism in the theatre...
's Ghosts
Ghosts (play)
Ghosts is a play by the Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen. It was written in 1881 and first staged in 1882.Like many of Ibsen's better-known plays, Ghosts is a scathing commentary on 19th century morality....
. “The first play I ever saw was a present from my parents on my 13th birthday — Nazimova
Alla Nazimova
Alla Nazimova , was a Russian American film and theatre actress, a screenwriter and film producer. She is perhaps best known as simply Nazimova, but also went under the name Alia Nasimoff.-Early life:...
in ‘Ghosts’ at Brighton Beach on the subway circuit — and I just freaked out.”
He made his Broadway stage
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
debut as a teenager in 1943 in Run, Little Chillun, and later joined the American Negro Theater
American Negro Theater
The American Negro Theater was formed in Harlem on June 5, 1940 by writer Abram Hill and actor Frederick O'Neal. It produced 19 plays before closing in 1949. Designed as a community theater group, performances were held in Harlem's Schomburg Library. In 1942, ANT began its Studio Theatre training...
. The following year, Hyman began a two year run playing the role of Rudolf on Broadway in Anna Lucasta, starring Hilda Simms
Hilda Simms
Hilda Simms was an African-American stage actress, best known for her starring role on Broadway in Anna Lucasta.-Early years:...
in the title role.
He was a member of the American Shakespeare Theatre
American Shakespeare Theatre
The American Shakespeare Theatre was a theater company based in Stratford, Connecticut, United States. It was formed in 1955 by Lawrence Langner, Lincoln Kirstein, and Joseph Verner Reed. Plays were produced at the Festival Theatre in Stratford from 1955 until the company ceased operations in...
beginning with its first season in 1955, and played the role of Othello
Othello
The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in approximately 1603, and based on the Italian short story "Un Capitano Moro" by Cinthio, a disciple of Boccaccio, first published in 1565...
in the 1957 season.
In 1959 he appeared in the West End in the first London production of A Raisin In the Sun
A Raisin in the Sun
A Raisin in the Sun is a play by Lorraine Hansberry that debuted on Broadway in 1959. The title comes from the poem "Harlem" by Langston Hughes...
alongside Kim Hamilton. The show ran at the Adelphi Theatre
Adelphi Theatre
The Adelphi Theatre is a 1500-seat West End theatre, located on the Strand in the City of Westminster. The present building is the fourth on the site. The theatre has specialised in comedy and musical theatre, and today it is a receiving house for a variety of productions, including many musicals...
and was directed again by Lloyd Richards
Lloyd Richards
Lloyd George Richards was a Canadian-American theatre director, actor, and dean of the Yale School of Drama from 1979 to 1991, and Yale University professor emeritus.- Biography :...
.
Throughout his career, Hyman has appeared in productions in both the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
(he is fluent in Norwegian
Norwegian language
Norwegian is a North Germanic language spoken primarily in Norway, where it is the official language. Together with Swedish and Danish, Norwegian forms a continuum of more or less mutually intelligible local and regional variants .These Scandinavian languages together with the Faroese language...
) where he also owns a home on Norway's west coast and an apartment in Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
. In 1965, won a Theatre World Award
Theatre World Award
The Theatre World Award, first awarded for the 1945-46 season, is an American honor presented annually to actors and actresses in recognition of an outstanding New York City stage debut performance, either on Broadway or off-Broadway.-History:...
and in 1988, he was awarded the St Olav's medal
St Olav's medal
The St. Olav's Medal and the St. Olav's Medal With Oak Branch were instituted by King Haakon VII of Norway on 17 March 1939. They are awarded in recognition of "outstanding services rendered in connection with the spreading of information about Norway abroad and for strengthening the bonds between...
for his work in Norwegian theater.
In addition to his stage work, Hyman has appeared in various television and film roles including adaptions of Macbeth
Macbeth
The Tragedy of Macbeth is a play by William Shakespeare about a regicide and its aftermath. It is Shakespeare's shortest tragedy and is believed to have been written sometime between 1603 and 1607...
(1968), Julius Caesar (1979), and Coriolanus (1979), and voiced Panthro on the animated television series ThunderCats
ThunderCats
ThunderCats is an American animated television series that was produced by Rankin/Bass Productions debuting in 1984, based on the characters created by Tobin "Ted" Wolf. The series follows the adventures of a group of cat-like humanoid aliens...
(1985-1990). One of his most well known roles, that of Russell Huxtable in The Cosby Show
The Cosby Show
The Cosby Show is an American television situation comedy starring Bill Cosby, which aired for eight seasons on NBC from September 20, 1984 until April 30, 1992...
, earned him an Emmy Award
Emmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
nomination in 1986 where he played the father of lead character Cliff Huxtable, played by actor Bill Cosby
Bill Cosby
William Henry "Bill" Cosby, Jr. is an American comedian, actor, author, television producer, educator, musician and activist. A veteran stand-up performer, he got his start at various clubs, then landed a starring role in the 1960s action show, I Spy. He later starred in his own series, the...
despite only being 11 years senior to Cosby. He is the third cousin of singer Phyllis Hyman
Phyllis Hyman
Phyllis Linda Hyman was an American soul singer and actress.-Early years:Phyllis Hyman was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and grew up in the St. Clair Village, the South Hills section of Pittsburgh...
.
Filmography
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1945 | The Lost Weekend | Smoking Man | Uncredited |
| 1954 | The Bamboo Prison | Doc Jackson, medic | |
| 1966 | Afrikaneren | Raymond | Alternative title: The African |
| 1975 | The Possession of Joel Delaney The Possession of Joel Delaney The Possession of Joel Delaney is a 1972 horror film starring Shirley MacLaine and Perry King, and directed by Waris Hussein. It is based on the 1970 novel of the same name by Ramona Stewart.... |
Charles | Credited Earl Hyman |
| 1979 | Coriolanus | Cominius | |
| Julius Caesar | Cicero | ||
| 1982 | Fighting Back | Police Chief Freeman | Alternative title: Death Vengeance |
| 1985 | Thundercats - HO: The Movie | Panthro | Voice |
| 1988 | Light Years Light Years (film) Light Years is a 1988 French animated science fiction and fantasy film. The original version was directed by René Laloux, and was based on Jean-Pierre Andrevon's novel Les Hommes-machines contre Gandahar .An English version was directed by Harvey Weinstein and produced by Bob Weinstein, while noted... |
Maxum (Voice) | Alternative title: Gandahar |
| Television | |||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1957 | Hallmark Hall of Fame Hallmark Hall of Fame Hallmark Hall of Fame is an anthology program on American television, sponsored by Hallmark Cards, a Kansas City based greeting card company. The second longest-running television program in the history of television, it has a historically long run, beginning in 1951 and continuing into 2011... |
Adam | 1 episode |
| The United States Steel Hour The United States Steel Hour The United States Steel Hour is an anthology series which brought hour-long dramas to television from 1953 to 1963. The television series and the radio program that preceded it were both sponsored by the United States Steel Corporation.... |
Jim | 1 episode | |
| 1963 | Espionage Espionage (TV series) Espionage is a 1963 Associated TeleVision series, distributed outside the UK by ITC Entertainment and networked in the United States by NBC.-Synopsis:... |
Premier Djatuma | 1 episode |
| East Side/West Side East Side/West Side East Side/West Side is an American drama series starring George C. Scott, Elizabeth Wilson, Cicely Tyson, and later on, Linden Chiles. The series aired for only one season and was shown Monday nights on CBS.-Synopsis:... |
Mr. Marsden | 1 episode | |
| 1964 | The Nurses The Nurses The Nurses is a soap opera that aired on ABC from September 27, 1965 to March 31, 1967. The show was a continuation of a serialized primetime drama which aired on CBS originally called The Nurses when it premiered in 1962, later called The Doctors and the Nurses.The setting was Alden General... |
Buratta | 1 episode |
| Playdate | Crouch | 1 episode | |
| The Defenders | District Attorney | 1 episode | |
| 1965 | Seaway | Tom Nkomo | 1 episode |
| 1968 | Macbeth | Macbeth | Television movie |
| 1980 | The Ivory Ape | Inspector St. George | Television movie |
| 1982 | Long Day's Journey Into Night | James Tyrone | Television movie |
| 1984 | The Edge of Night The Edge of Night The Edge of Night is an American television mystery series/soap opera produced by Procter & Gamble. It debuted on CBS on April 2, 1956, and ran as a live broadcast on that network until November 28, 1975; the series then moved to ABC, where it aired from December 1, 1975, until December 28, 1984... |
Bailiff | Unknown episodes |
| 1984-1992 | The Cosby Show The Cosby Show The Cosby Show is an American television situation comedy starring Bill Cosby, which aired for eight seasons on NBC from September 20, 1984 until April 30, 1992... |
Russell Huxtable | 40 episodes |
| 1985 | ThunderCats ThunderCats ThunderCats is an American animated television series that was produced by Rankin/Bass Productions debuting in 1984, based on the characters created by Tobin "Ted" Wolf. The series follows the adventures of a group of cat-like humanoid aliens... |
Panthro/Redeye (Voice) | 130 episodes |
| The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus | King Awgwa (Voice) | Television movie | |
| 1987 | A Different World | Russell Huxtable | Episode: :Sometimes You Get the Bear, Sometimes the Bear Gets You" |
| 1989 | A Man Called Hawk A Man Called Hawk A Man Called Hawk is a prime time television series that ran on the ABC television network between January 1989 and May 1989. The series was a spin-off of the crime drama series Spenser: For Hire, and features the character Hawk, who first appeared in the 1976 novel Promised Land, the fourth in... |
Jefferson Adams | Episode: "Passing the Bar" |
| 1994 | Seier'n er vår | Sammy | Unknown episodes |
| 1995 | All My Children All My Children All My Children is an American television soap opera that aired on ABC from January 5, 1970 to September 23, 2011. Created by Agnes Nixon, All My Children is set in Pine Valley, Pennsylvania, a fictitious suburb of Philadelphia. The show features Susan Lucci as Erica Kane, one of daytime's most... |
Mr. Patterson | Unknown episodes |
| 1996 | Hijacked: Flight 285 | Wayne Edwards | Television movie |
| 1997 | Cosby Cosby Cosby is a situation comedy television series broadcast on CBS from September 16, 1996 to April 28, 2000, loosely based on the British sitcom One Foot in the Grave. The program starred Bill Cosby, Phylicia Rashād... |
Rev. Mitchell | 1 episode |
| 2000 | The Moving of Sophia Myles | Bishop Heath | Television movie |
| 2001 | Twice in a Lifetime Twice in a Lifetime (TV series) Twice in a Lifetime is a Canadian mystery/drama series that originally aired from 1999 to 2001. Created by Steve Sohmer, the series aired on CTV in Canada and PAX in the United States.-Synopsis:... |
Charley Freeman | 1 episode |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Result | Category | Film, series or play |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | Theatre World Award Theatre World Award The Theatre World Award, first awarded for the 1945-46 season, is an American honor presented annually to actors and actresses in recognition of an outstanding New York City stage debut performance, either on Broadway or off-Broadway.-History:... |
Won | ||
| 1980 | Tony Award Tony Award The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway... |
Nominated | Best Featured Actor in a Play Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play This is a list of the winners and nominations of Tony Award for the Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play. The award has been presented since 1949.-1950s:* 1951: Eli Wallach – The Rose Tattoo* 1952: John Cromwell – Point of No Return... |
The Lady From Dubuque The Lady From Dubuque The Lady from Dubuque, a play by Edward Albee, opened on Broadway at the Morosco Theatre on January 31, 1980. It closed there after a mere 12 performances... |
| 1983 | CableACE Award CableACE Award The CableACE Award was an award that was given from 1978 to 1997 to honor excellence in American cable television programming... |
Won | Actor in a Dramatic Presentation | Long Day's Journey Into Night |
| 1986 | Emmy Award Primetime Emmy Award The Primetime Emmy Awards are awards presented by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in recognition of excellence in American primetime television programming... |
Nominated | Outstanding Guest Performer in a Comedy Series Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor - Comedy Series This is a list of winners of the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series.-1980s:Outstanding Guest Performer In A Comedy Series*1986: Roscoe Lee Browne – The Cosby Show as Dr... |
The Cosby Show (For episode "Happy Anniversary") |