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IMDbPro

Avon Long(1910-1984)

  • Actor
  • Soundtrack
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
Debbi Morgan, Avon Long, Lynne Moody, and Cynthia Sye in Roots: The Next Generations (1979)
Avon Long was a featured singer and dancer in the Cotton Club in New York in 1934. Lena Horne credits him with bringing her out of the chorus line to a featured spot. In the 1940's, he won critical acclaim as "Sportin' Life" in the Broadway production of "Porgy and Bess". He also appeared in featured roles on Broadway in "Bubbling Brown Sugar"
BornJune 18, 1910
DiedFebruary 15, 1984(73)
BornJune 18, 1910
DiedFebruary 15, 1984(73)
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank

Photos6

Joe Keyes Jr. and Avon Long in Don't Play Us Cheap (1972)
Thomas Anderson, Joshie Armstead, Rhetta Hughes, Joe Keyes Jr., Mabel King, Avon Long, Esther Rolle, Robert Dunn, and George Ooppee McCurn in Don't Play Us Cheap (1972)
Rhetta Hughes, Joe Keyes Jr., Avon Long, Esther Rolle, Jay Van Leer, Nate Barnett, and Frank Carey in Don't Play Us Cheap (1972)
Mabel King, Avon Long, and Esther Rolle in Don't Play Us Cheap (1972)
Rhetta Hughes, Joe Keyes Jr., Avon Long, and Esther Rolle in Don't Play Us Cheap (1972)

Known for

Paul Newman and Robert Redford in The Sting (1973)
The Sting
8.3
  • Benny Garfield
  • 1973
Trading Places (1983)
Trading Places
7.5
  • Ezra
  • 1983
Harry and Tonto (1974)
Harry and Tonto
7.4
  • Leroy
  • 1974
Nothing Lasts Forever (1984)
Nothing Lasts Forever
6.2
  • Alphacruiser Steward
  • 1984

Credits

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IMDbPro

Actor

  • Nothing Lasts Forever (1984)
    Nothing Lasts Forever
    • Alphacruiser Steward
    • 1984
  • Trading Places (1983)
    Trading Places
    • Ezra
    • 1983
  • Jason Robards in F.D.R.: The Last Year (1980)
    F.D.R.: The Last Year
    • Bunnright
    • TV Movie
    • 1980
  • Dorian Harewood and Debbi Morgan in Roots: The Next Generations (1979)
    Roots: The Next Generations
    • Chicken George Moore
    • TV Mini Series
    • 1979
  • Bye Bye Monkey (1978)
    Bye Bye Monkey
    • Miko
    • 1978
  • Harry and Tonto (1974)
    Harry and Tonto
    • Leroy
    • 1974
  • Paul Newman and Robert Redford in The Sting (1973)
    The Sting
    • Benny Garfield
    • 1973
  • Mabel King, Avon Long, and Esther Rolle in Don't Play Us Cheap (1972)
    Don't Play Us Cheap
    • Brother Dave
    • 1972
  • Fred Astaire, Petula Clark, Don Francks, and Tommy Steele in Finian's Rainbow (1968)
    Finian's Rainbow
    • Passion Pilgrim Gospeleer (uncredited)
    • 1968
  • 13 West Street (1962)
    13 West Street
    • Police detective sitting at desk (uncredited)
    • 1962
  • The Big Story (1949)
    The Big Story
    • Davie
    • TV Series
    • 1959
  • The Green Pastures
    • First Gambler
    • TV Movie
    • 1959
  • The Green Pastures
    • First Gambler
    • TV Movie
    • 1957
  • Paul Newman and Anne Francis in The Rack (1956)
    The Rack
    • Hotel Room Service Waiter (uncredited)
    • 1956
  • Doris Day, Jack Carson, Don DeFore, and Janis Paige in Romance on the High Seas (1948)
    Romance on the High Seas
    • Specialty Singer
    • 1948

Soundtrack

  • Rumble (2002)
    Rumble
    • writer: "Bad Boy"
    • 2002
  • Breathless (1983)
    Breathless
    • writer: "Bad Boy"
    • 1983
  • Fred Astaire, Petula Clark, Don Francks, and Tommy Steele in Finian's Rainbow (1968)
    Finian's Rainbow
    • performer: "The Begat" (1946) (uncredited)
    • 1968
  • Doris Day, Jack Carson, Don DeFore, and Janis Paige in Romance on the High Seas (1948)
    Romance on the High Seas
    • performer: "The Tourist Trade" (uncredited)
    • 1948
  • Centennial Summer (1946)
    Centennial Summer
    • performer: "Cinderella Sue" (uncredited)
    • 1946

Personal details

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  • Born
    • June 18, 1910
    • Baltimore, Maryland, USA
  • Died
    • February 15, 1984
    • New York City, New York, USA(cancer)
  • Spouse
    • Gretchen Cotton? - February 15, 1984 (his death, 3 children)
  • Other works
    He sang the role of Sportin' Life in Columbia Masterworks 1951 3-LP recording of the so-called "complete" version of "Porgy and Bess". (Actually, forty-five minutes were cut from the opera, as this was the standard edition used then.)
  • Publicity listings
    • 2 Articles

Did you know

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  • Trivia
    Was nominated for Broadway's 1973 Tony Award as Best Supporting or Featured Actor (Musical) for "Don't Play Us Cheap."

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