William McGhee (July 24, 1930 – February 17, 2007) was an American stage, film and television actor. He was also known professionally as Bill McGee, Bill McGhee and William Bill McGhee.
Hotel explosion On June 21, 1946, aged 15, McGhee held an elevator operator job at the Baker Hotel in downtown Dallas, when an ammonia explosion occurred during work on a refrigeration unit. He was temporarily reported as dead in the media, but he survived. He suffered amnesia, but was fully restored to health. He resumed his pursuit for the theater after recovery.Stu Beitler, Dallas, TX Explosion At Baker Hotel, June 1946
Korean War He served his country as an Army corporal in the 31st Unit division in the Korean War, and performed for the troops at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. He was among the soldiers exposed to atmospheric nuclear testing at Yucca Flats, Nevada to measure the bomb's consequences. He was reportedly selected for the mission because of the injuries he had survived in the Baker Hotel blast.
Acting career After his honorable discharge from the military, McGhee returned to performing at the Dallas Theater Center's Janus Players. In 1954, he broke racial barriers and was the first African-American actor to perform professionally on the Dallas stage in roles without racial requirements. He performed in more than 35 theater productions and stage plays, and in more than 15 films, including High Yellow (1965), Curse of the Swamp Creature (1966), Don't Look in the Basement (1973), Drive-In (1976), 1918 (1985) and Riverbend (1989).
He was one of the first unionized African-American actors in Dallas with SAG (Screen Actors Guild) and AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists).
Death McGhee died from male breast cancer, aged 76. He was survived by his wife, Ina B. Daniels Hurdle-McGhee, a civil rights activist, as well as by his children: a son, Derek McGhee, a daughter, Dawn McGhee, an actress/director/producer. He was also survived by ten siblings.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1963 Free, White and 21 Witness 1964 The Trial of Lee Harvey Oswald Witness 1965 High Yellow Joseph 1971 Fairplay Jefferson Washington 1971 Quadroon Jacques 1973 Don't Look in the Basement Sam 1973 The Pickle Goes in the Middle Scarfie School Teacher 1974 Slick Silver 1976 Drive-In Dr. Demars 1985 1918 Sam the Cemetery Worker 1986 On Valentine's Day Sam 1986 Shadows on the Wall Preacher Readman 1989 Riverbend Reverend Benson (final film role)
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