Charles McGregor(1922-1996)

Bald, tubby and engaging African-American character actor Charles McGregor was born on September 1, 1922 in New York City. McGregor spent a fair share of his early life in jail, but cleaned up his act when he was released from prison and had a brief, but impressive career as a supporting actor in blaxploitation features made throughout the 70s. McGregor was excellent as sleazy snitch drug dealer Fat Freddie in the terrific cult classic "Super Fly" and likewise fine as the vulgar and flamboyant the Cokeman in the offbeat "The Baron." Charles was very funny as Charlie in Mel Brooks' hilarious Western parody "Blazing Saddles." He had a nice bit as a corrupt police detective in the uproariously tasteless "Andy Warhol's Bad" and pops up in a small uncredited role as a bar patron in the fantastic Oscar-winning police crime thriller "The French Connection." Outside of acting, McGregor toured junior and senior high schools and counseled kids on the perils of crime and drugs. Charles McGregor died on August 11, 1996 in Santa Clara, California.