Charles Gordone
1925–1995 (age 70)
Playwright/Actor
Biography
Charles Gordone (1925–1995) emerged as a commanding presence in theater at a time when few African American voices were heard on major stages, and his landmark play 'No Place to Be Somebody' earned a Pulitzer Prize by revealing the complicated racial, social and personal dramas of American life.
Beyond writing and acting, he taught, mentored and fostered dialogue, including engagements in Texas where he connected with students and colleagues at institutions such as Texas A&M University, insisting on the power of theater to forge empathy.