Charles Barnett (September 23, 1954 – March 16, 1996) was an American comedian and actor.[1]
Charlie Barnett | |
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| Born | Charles Barnett September 23, 1954 Bluefield, West Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | March 16, 1996 (aged 41) |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, comedian |
Life and career
editBarnett was born in Bluefield, West Virginia. He first made a name for himself in the late 1970s and early 1980s, performing several shows of raunchy comedy a day at outdoor parks in New York City, most notably in Washington Square Park. In September 1980, Barnett auditioned for Saturday Night Live. Producer Jean Doumanian was ready to hire him; however, Barnett was self-conscious about his poor reading skills and he skipped a follow-up reading. His spot in the cast was ultimately given to Eddie Murphy.[2][3]
Barnett was reportedly envious and resentful of Murphy for several years, although in 1983 he told Jet Magazine: "Now that I'm making it, I watch Saturday Night Live every Saturday."[4]
Barnett contracted HIV as a result of heroin abuse and died from AIDS on March 16, 1996. [5]
Select filmography
edit- They Bite (1996)
- Mondo New York (1988)
- Nobody's Fool (1986)
- Beer (1985)
- My Man Adam (1985)
- T.J. Hooker (1985)[6]
- Miami Vice (1984–1987)
- D.C. Cab (1983)
References
edit- ^ McKeon, Conor (March 21, 2012). "Timing Is… Everything: The Story Of Charlie Barnett". Splitsider. Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved December 1, 2012.
- ^ "Rubber-Faced and Razor-Tongued, Street Comedian Charlie Barnett Steps Up to the Silver Screen". People. November 14, 1983. Retrieved December 1, 2012.
- ^ Rabin, Nathan (16 March 2012). "John Witherspoon". The A.V. Club.
- ^ "'D.C. Cab' Rolls with MR. T and High-Speed Cast". Jet. December 19, 1983. Retrieved December 28, 2013.
- ^ "Timing is everything . . . The story of Charlie Barnett". Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ T.J. Hooker, "The Chicago Connection", May 4, 1985