20 Facts About Percy Rodriguez

Percy Rodriguez was of Afro-Portuguese heritage and was born in the Saint-Henri neighbourhood of Montreal.

Percy Rodriguez was known for his extensive voiceover work as the narrator of film trailers, television spots and documentaries.

Percy Rodriguez was the oldest of three siblings and was of African and Portuguese descent.

Percy Rodriguez developed an interest in boxing and acting, becoming a professional boxer while simultaneously exploring acting jobs.

Percy Rodriguez ended up joining Montreal's Negro Theatre Guild and ultimately won the Canadian Drama Festival acting award in 1939.

Percy Rodriguez began his acting career in the 1930s, appearing in stage plays and television series in his native country.

Percy Rodriguez eventually moved to New York City, where he made his Broadway theatre debut in Lillian Hellman's Toys in the Attic in 1960.

Percy Rodriguez managed to avoid the stereotypical roles given to black actors at the time and was known for applying and projecting quiet authority and inner calm during his roles, as well as for the touch of grey in his hair.

Percy Rodriguez went on to star on American television in programs such as The Nurses, Naked City, The Wild Wild West, Route 66 and Star Trek but first gained widespread notoriety in 1968 for his role as neurosurgeon Dr Harry Miles in the prime time soap opera Peyton Place, seen as a breakthrough white-collar role for a black actor.

Percy Rodriguez appeared in the made-for-television films The Old Man Who Cried Wolf, Ring of Passion, Angel Dusted, and the miniseries Roots: The Next Generations.

Percy Rodriguez had an extensive career on the stage and worked with several prominent African-American actors, such as Al Freeman Jr.

Percy Rodriguez narrated numerous film trailers, TV spots and documentaries throughout his career, continuing to do voiceovers after retiring from acting in 1987, following his final on-camera role as a doctor in the TV movie Perry Mason: The Case of the Sinister Spirit.

Percy Rodriguez is particularly famous for his eerie narration for trailers and TV spots for the film Jaws, as well as the opening narration for Michael Jackson's science fiction musical Captain EO for Disney theme parks.

Percy Rodriguez provided narration for the Jaws sequels Jaws 2, Jaws 3-D, and Jaws the Revenge ; his final appearance was in the documentary The Shark is Still Working, where he spoke of his narration of the trailer for the film Jaws; he provided the narration for the documentary's trailer.

Percy Rodriguez narrated the very first teaser trailer for Alien and the trailer for the "Special Edition" release of the Star Wars Trilogy in 1997.

Percy Rodriguez played numerous roles, including detectives, lawyers, politicians, ambassadors, and doctors.

Percy Rodriguez was seen as a symbol of intelligence, moral strength and leadership during his various roles in the 1960s and 1970s.

Percy Rodriguez is well known for helping to break the racial barriers on television.

Percy Rodriguez is a well distinguished-looking actor and went on to become a voice of great distinction behind the camera.

Percy Rodriguez had a daughter, Hollis, and a son, Gerald, with his first wife, Alameda.