Hari Rhodes was a versatile and talented actor and author who had a long and successful career in both film and television. He was best known for his roles in the sci-fi films Conquest of the Planet of the Apes and Battle for the Planet of the Apes, as well as the TV series Daktari and Roots. He also wrote a novel based on his experiences as a black Marine in the Korean War, called A Chosen Few. He died of a heart attack on January 15, 1992, at the age of 59. This article will pay tribute to his life and legacy, and explore the hari rhodes cause of death.
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Early Life and Military Service
Hari Rhodes was born on April 10, 1932, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He grew up in a poor and rough neighborhood, where he had to deal with rats, roaches, and floods. He learned how to hop freights and throw pieces of coal off the trains. He also developed an interest in acting and writing, and joined a local theater group.
When he was 15, he forged his mother’s signature and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He served in the Korean War, where he led a reconnaissance platoon behind enemy lines. He was wounded at the Chosin Reservoir, where he fought off a Chinese soldier with a knife. He rose to the rank of sergeant and received several medals for his bravery and service. He later said that the war taught him a lot about life and death, and inspired him to write his novel, A Chosen Few, which was published in 1965. According to Wikipedia, the novel was based on his experiences at the Montford Point Camp, the last black Marine Corps Recruit Depot.
Acting Career and Achievements
After leaving the military, Rhodes pursued his acting career and moved to Hollywood. He appeared in many TV shows and movies, often playing strong and dignified characters. He was one of the first black actors to have a prominent role in a sci-fi film, when he played Lt. Ernie Travers in the 1964 episode of The Outer Limits, “Moonstone”. He also starred in the 1969 TV series The Bold Ones: The Protectors, as one of the first black leads in a crime drama.
He gained more fame and recognition when he played Mike Makula, a wildlife expert, in the 1966-69 TV series Daktari, which was set in Africa. He also played MacDonald, a human rebel leader, in the 1972 and 1973 films Conquest of the Planet of the Apes and Battle for the Planet of the Apes, respectively. He was praised for his performance and his chemistry with Roddy McDowall, who played Caesar, the leader of the apes.
One of his most memorable roles was in the 1977 miniseries Roots, where he played Kailuba, a leader of Kunta Kinte’s village. He also appeared in other popular TV shows, such as Ben Casey, Cannon, Dynasty, and Magnum, P.I. His last film role was in the 1992 TV movie Murder Without Motive: The Edmund Perry Story, which was released posthumously.
Hari Rhodes Cause of Death and Legacy
Hari Rhodes died of a heart attack on January 15, 1992, in Canoga Park, California. He was 59 years old. According to Dead or Kicking, his cause of death was a myocardial infarction, which is a blockage of blood flow to the heart. He was survived by his wife and two children.
Hari Rhodes left behind a legacy of excellence and diversity in his work. He was a pioneer and a trailblazer for black actors in Hollywood, especially in the sci-fi genre. He was also a talented and passionate writer, who shared his personal and historical insights through his novel. He was admired and respected by his peers and fans, who remember him as a charismatic and courageous person. He will always be remembered as one of the chosen few.
