Biography

Louis Edmonds

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Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, he studied at Louisiana State University and the Carnegie Institute of Technology. During WWII, he served in the Navy. His career was started in New York, acting in regional and Off-Broadway Theatre until his Broadway debut in the musical, "Candide" in 1956. Edmonds stage role in "The Importance of Being Earnest" and his work on the accompanying album led him to television roles. He is survived by his brother, Walter, Jr. of Baton Rouge. His only sister Alma Edmonds Fritchie passed in 2006.
- IMDb mini biography by: Rachel Fritchie
Louis Edmonds is best known for his work as character Roger Collins in the wildly popular daytime gothic drama "Dark Shadows" which ran from 1967-71. Dark Shadows had an ensemble cast who went back in forth in time from the 18th century to the 17th century more than once. Since this was an ensemble cast, each actor/actress played roles from their current lives and those of their ancestors. Since this was a gothic drama, the series included "normal" people, and those that were under spells that turned them into vampires, werewolves, witches, and ghosts just to name a few. In addition to the role of Roger Collins, Edmonds also played his father, grandfather, and great grandfather.
- IMDb mini biography by: Patricia Burton

Edmonds was openly gay in his private life, and finally came out publicly upon publication of the book "Big Lou". which includes the disclosure.
His life story was told in a touching biography, "Big Lou", by Craig Hamrick, created with extensive input from the actor.
His family home, a sprawling southern plantation called "Longwood", near Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is located near an estate called "Oak Alley", which was featured in the Tom Cruise film Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994). Coincidentally, Cruise was one of his favorite actors. Longwood was also the guest home of Clark Gable and Yvonne DeCarlo for their stay in Louisiana while filming Band of Angels.
Remembered for his tireless efforts to the AIDS cause. It became a cause close to his heart with the related death of his sister's son Michael. Alma and Louis worked for years to reduce the stigma of and bring attention to this tragic disease.
One of his most treasured possessions was a scratchy LP featuring several performances by legendary stage actress and writer Ruth Draper. He often quoted from her hilarious "The Italian Lesson" and dubbed his closest friends with names of characters from that one-act play.

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