Robin Harris | |
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Harris on the cover of The Robin Harris Story - We Don't Die, We Multiply
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Birth name | Robin Hughes Harris |
Born |
Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
August 30, 1953
Died | March 18, 1990 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
(aged 36)
Medium | Stand-up, film |
Nationality | American |
Years active | 1980–1990 |
Genres | Satire, observational comedy, improvisational comedy |
Subject(s) | African-American culture, sexuality, everyday life, race |
Spouse | Exetta Harris (1984–March 18, 1990; his death) |
Robin Hughes Harris (August 30, 1953 – March 18, 1990) was an American comedian and actor, known for his recurring comic sketch about Bébé's Kids.
Robin Harris was born in Chicago, Illinois. His father, Earl, was a welder, and his mother, Mattie, was a factory seamstress.
In 1961, the family moved to Los Angeles, where he attended Manual Arts High School. Harris then attended Ottawa University in Kansas. During this time, he began to hone his craft of comedy. He worked for Hughes Aircraft, a rental car company, and Security Pacific Bank to pay his bills. In 1980, he debuted at Los Angeles’ Comedy Store.
During the mid-1980s, Harris worked as the master of ceremonies at the Comedy Act Theater. His “old school” brand of humor began to gain him a mainstream following. Harris made his acting debut playing a bartender in I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1988). Harris also had a role in Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing (1989). As "Sweet Dick Willie", Harris served as part of the neighborhood "Greek chorus" that commented on the events of an increasingly tense day. Harris was Pop, the father of Kid in House Party (1990). He followed up later that year with a small role as a jazz club MC in Mo' Better Blues. He also appeared in Eddie Murphy's Harlem Nights (1989).