O. L. Duke
Encyclopedia
Orville Lewis Duke was an American stage, television and film actor.
He was a member of the renowned Actors Studio
and was the interim Artistic Director of the Negro Ensemble Company
(NEC) from 2002-2004. In keeping with the tradition of the NEC, Duke helped young Black actors hone their skills by sharing his work experiences and teaching classes using the method acting
technique.
Duke died in a car crash in New York City, on September 10, 2004. He was on his way home after performing in an off-Broadway play, when a car cut him off on the West Side Highway. His vehicle jumped a divider and struck an oncoming car.
He was a member of the renowned Actors Studio
Actors Studio
The Actors Studio is a membership organization for professional actors, theatre directors and playwrights at 432 West 44th Street in the Clinton neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City. It was founded October 5, 1947, by Elia Kazan, Cheryl Crawford, Robert Lewis and Anna Sokolow who provided...
and was the interim Artistic Director of the Negro Ensemble Company
Negro Ensemble Company
The Negro Ensemble Company is a New York City-based theater company. Established in 1967 by playwright Douglas Turner Ward, producer/actor Robert Hooks, and theater manager Gerald S...
(NEC) from 2002-2004. In keeping with the tradition of the NEC, Duke helped young Black actors hone their skills by sharing his work experiences and teaching classes using the method acting
Method acting
Method acting is a phrase that loosely refers to a family of techniques used by actors to create in themselves the thoughts and emotions of their characters, so as to develop lifelike performances...
technique.
Duke died in a car crash in New York City, on September 10, 2004. He was on his way home after performing in an off-Broadway play, when a car cut him off on the West Side Highway. His vehicle jumped a divider and struck an oncoming car.