In Memoriam : Tony nominated actor Anthony Chisholm (1943 – 2020)

Actor Anthony Chisholm, a star of the theatre and screen, has died his management company confirmed. No cause of death was announced. He was 77.

Statement on Anthony Chisholm’s passing

“Affectionately called ‘Chiz,’ he was an actor and storyteller like none-other, embodying loyalty, devotion, and compassion to his artistry,” the Katz Company Chisholm’s management company wrote on social media Friday. “We lost a great one today.

Acting career

Chisholm was born on April 9, 1943 in Cleveland, Ohio and later served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.

When he returned home, he pursued an all encompassing career in acting, first entering the theatre industry in performances of The Boys from Syracuse and The Threepenny Opera at Cleveland’s Karamu House theater.

Chisholm made his film debut in Uptight in 1968 and later appeared in films including Spike Lee’s Chi-Raq (2015). Some of his TV credits include High Maintenance and Law and Order: SVU, as well as the HBO crime series Oz.

On Broadway, Chisholm appeared in August Wilson’s Two Trains Running and Jitney, which won the Tony Award for best revival of a play in 2017. In 2007, he received a Tony nomination for his portrayal of Elder Joseph Barlow in Wilson’s play Radio Golf.

He performed internationally in the hit Vietnam play, Tracers, at The Seymour Center, Sydney, Australia; the Universal Theatre, Melbourne, Australia; The Royal Court Theatre, London, England.

Founder of Unheard Voices and Anthony Chisholm at The Two River Theater in Red Bank, NJ

Later on his career, Chisholm reprised his roles in August Wilson’s seven play cycle at New Jersey’s Two River Theater, captivating a new generation on his acting prowess.

Chisholm received the NAACP Theatre Award, the AUDELCO Award, the Ovation Award, and the I.R.N.E. Award throughout his career. He is survived by his son, Alexander Chisholm, his daughter Che Chisholm, his son-in law, Peter Vietro-Hannum and two grandchildren, Ravi and Avani Vietro.

Photo: Twitter