Shawn Elliott (actor)

Shawn Elliott (February 24, 1937 – March 11, 2016) was an American actor and singer. He is best known for starring in the original cast of Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris onstage and as Paco in the film Short Eyes (1977).[1]

For other people with similar names, see Shawn Elliott (disambiguation).
Shawn Elliott
Shawn Elliott (Dutch TV, 1965)
Born
Shawn Elliott Santiago

February 24, 1937
Santurce, Puerto Rico
Died (aged 79)
New York City, U.S.
Occupation(s)Actor, singer
Years active1955–2016
Spouse
​
(m. 1990)​
Children3

Early years

Elliott was born Eliezer Santiago Solis in Santurce, Puerto Rico, and grew up in New York City's East Harlem area[2] where he appeared in a community center production of Oklahoma![1]

Singing career

Elliott had a #1 hit in Europe and South America with a cover of Sir Lancelot's "Shame And Scandal In The Family" in 1965.[3] The cover failed to chart in America where English comedian Lance Percival's version did. However, Peter Tosh and the Wailers, as well as The Blues Busters, copied the arrangement used by Elliot in preparing their own later covers of the song. Recorded a minor disco hit "Nice and Slow" in 1976.[1]

Elliott originally recorded for Roulette Records,[4] before moving with his brother Roland to Atlantic Records in 1968,[5][6] though none of his later records matched the success of his 1965 hit.

Selected discography
  • ”Goodbye My Lover,” 1962
  • ”Sincerely and Tenderly,” 1963
  • "Shame And Scandal In The Family"; B-side "Josephine," 1964
  • ”You Opened Up My Eyes,” 1967
  • ”You’ve Turned Away," 1968
  • ”Little Children,” 1968
  • ”I Found Myself A Brand New Baby,” 1970
  • "Marieke"
  • "Child Is Father To The Man," 1971
  • "Mr. Love," 1976

Acting career

After his last single, Elliott turned increasingly to acting. He is known for his roles in the films Short Eyes, Beat Street,Crossover Dreams, Do The Right Thing, Impulse, 13 Conversations About One Thing, Double Take, and Arbitrage. His last screen credit was the 2013 film Broken City.

On TV, Elliott played Eduardo Fernandez, father of main characters Alex and Gaby, on the PBS children's show Ghostwriter. He also appeared in episodes of NBC's Law & Order, Lifetime's The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd, Miami Vice, CSI: Miami and American Family.

Elliott also appeared on Broadway in City of Angels (1989) and Marie Christine (1999)[7] and off-Broadway and regionally in Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, Cyrano De Bergerac, Senor Discretion Himself, Teresa's Ecstasy, Hamlet, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, and Man of La Mancha.

A lifetime member of The Actors Studio, Elliott received a 1998 ALMA Award for Outstanding Latino Cast for PBS’ Foto-Novelas. In 2000, he was honored with the Rita Moreno Award for Excellence by the Hispanic Organization of Latin Artists (HOLA).[1]

Personal life

Elliott married actress Donna Murphy in 1990. Elliott has two daughters from a previous relationship, Ivy Kaller and Justine McLaughlin. In 2006, Elliott and Murphy adopted a daughter, Darmia Hope Murphy Elliott.[8][9][1]

Death

Elliott died on March 11, 2016, aged 79.[10]

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1975Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris'Madeleine'Voice
1977Short EyesPaco
1984Beat StreetDomingo
1985Crossover DreamsOrlando
1986Off BeatHector
1988The Dead PoolChester Docksteder
1989Do the Right ThingPuerto Rican Icee Man
1990ImpulseTony Peron
1991Bloodsucking Pharaohs in PittsburghJackie Cairo
1996CaughtSantiago
1997Hurricane StreetsPaco
1998Le New YorkerFarrakhan
2000Blue MoonThe Ambassador
2001Double TakeThomas Chela / Minty Gutierrez
2001Thirteen Conversations About One ThingMickey Wheeler
2005La fiesta del ChivoJohnny Abbes
2012ArbitrageFlores
2013Broken CityRaul Barea(final film role)

References
  1. Staff, Playbill (March 18, 2016). "Actor Shawn Elliott, Husband of Donna Murphy, Dies at 79". Playbill. Retrieved 2021-07-15.
  2. Sarmento, William E. (May 28, 1972). "Shawn Elliott rates notice in "pop music" circles". The Lowell Sun. Massachusetts, Lowell. p. 72.
  3. Billboard - 6 nov. 1965 - Page 48 Vogue is rush-releasing a follow-up to the Shawn Elliott smash, "Shame"
  4. Billboard - 27 nov. 1965 - Page 24 Roulette recording star Shawn Elliott visiting Holland for an appearance on the VARA TV show, ...
  5. Billboard - 16 march 1968 "Shawn Elliott joined Atlantic Records, where his first three numbers are being written by the artist and his brother, Roland Elliott"
  6. Billboard - 15 june 1968 - Page 58 Shawn Elliott, Atlantic Records artist, signed an exclusive song-writing contract with Hill & Range Music.
  7. "Shawn Elliott Broadway" Playbill (vault), accessed March 19, 2016
  8. "Shawn Elliott obituary". New York Times. 29 March 2016.
  9. Brady, James (April 12, 1998). "In Step With Donna Murphy". The Index-Journal. South Carolina, Greenwood. Parade Magazine. p. 55. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  10. "Actor Shawn Elliott, Husband of Donna Murphy, Dies at 79" Playbill, March 18, 2016
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