Edmund Cambridge


Edmund James Cambridge Jr. was an American actor and director who was a founding member of the Negro Ensemble Company and the Kilpatrick-Cambridge Theater Arts School.

Biography

Cambridge was born on September 18, 1920 in Harlem, New York.
At age 15, Cambridge began his professional career at Swan's Paradise in Harlem as a chorus boy. This assignment ended when his mother discovered that he was sneaking out of bed to do the job.
Edmund was The President of The Original Cambridge Players whom took a Los Angeles Premier of "The Amen Corner" to Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theater in April of 1965. Founding Member Juanita Moore were friends with Marlon Brando and James Baldwin, It was Ms. Moore whom ask Mr. Brando to lend the Funds to Mr. Baldwin to write "The Amen Corner". Produced by Mrs. Nat Cole,, Directed by Frank Silvera, Scenic Design by Vantile Whitfield, Production Stage Manager: James Gelb; Stage Manager: Edmund J.Cambridge and Press Representative: Dorothy Ross.
Broadway Cast : Art Evans, Gertude Jeanette, Amentha Dymally, Whitman Mayo, Beah Richards, Juanita Moore, Isabel Sanford, Frank Silvera and C.P. Walker. The Cambridge Players are lead by Film, Stage, TV Actor Kirk E. Kelleykahn. Therefore The Legendary Cambridge Players were the First in 1965 to take Mr. Baldwin's Novel to the Great White Way - Broadway. As Barry Jenkins was the First to Bring Mr. James Baldwin's Novel "IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK" to the Screen.
In 1968 he joined Robert Hooks, Douglas Turner Ward and several other actors to start the Negro Ensemble Company. He staged Ceremonies in Dark Old Men, as one of the company's first productions. The Lonne Elder III play went on to win many awards including a Drama Desk Award for the author. Other productions Cambridge directed at NEC include steve carter's critically acclaimed drama, Eden.
A longtime resident of Los Angeles, Cambridge died on August 18, 2001 in New York, New York as a result of injuries sustained from a fall.

Selected credits

Acting

Directing

Awards and nominations

Awards