---
name: "Robert Guillaume"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/robert-guillaume"
fi1m_id: "robert-guillaume"
imdb_id: "nm0347039"
tmdb_id: 8294
wikidata_id: "Q465442"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "30 November 1927"
died: "24 October 2017"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 5
average_fi1m_score: 79
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 5
updated: "2026-10-04T16:56:21.865065+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Robert Guillaume

## Identity

Robert Guillaume

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/robert-guillaume
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** robert-guillaume
- **IMDb ID:** nm0347039
- **TMDB ID:** 8294
- **Wikidata ID:** Q465442
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Guillaume, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q465442, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0347039/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/8294

Actor. Born 30 November 1927 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Died 24 October 2017.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 30 November 1927, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- **Died:** 24 October 2017
- **Active:** 1971–2003
- **Also known as:** Bob Guillaume
- **Primetime Emmy Awards:** 2 Emmys (2 won)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 79, as actor, over 5 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 82 (1), 1980s 68 (1), 1990s 83 (2), 2000s 78 (1)
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 4 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 3, Drama 3, Adventure 1, Animation 1, Family 1, Fantasy 1
- **Screen time:** 5 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $931m across 3 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Guillaume, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q465442, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0347039/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/8294

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Big Fish*](https://film.one/film/big-fish.md) (78), [*Seems Like Old Times*](https://film.one/film/seems-like-old-times.md) (68)
- **Disney+:** [*The Lion King*](https://film.one/film/the-lion-king.md) (84)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Biography

Robert Guillaume (born Robert Peter Williams) was an American actor and singer. He voiced the mandrill Rafiki in the 1994 Disney film *The Lion King* and reprised the role in its sequels and related projects.

Guillaume was best known for playing Benson DuBois on the television series *Soap* (1977–1981) and its spin-off *Benson* (1979–1986). He also portrayed Isaac Jaffe on *Sports Night* (1998–2000). On stage, he received a Tony Award nomination for his performance as Nathan Detroit in a 1977 revival of *Guys and Dolls* and was the first African-American actor to play the title role in *The Phantom of the Opera*.

He won two Primetime Emmy Awards for his work as Benson and a Grammy Award in 1995 for a spoken-word recording related to *The Lion King*. Guillaume appeared in films including *Big Fish* (2003) and *Spy Hard* (1996).

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, hollywoodreporter.com, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (5)

- *Big Fish* (2003), Fi1m 78, as Dr. Bennett (senior) — [page](https://film.one/film/big-fish.md)
- *Sports Night* (1998), Fi1m 82, as Isaac Jaffe — [page](https://film.one/tv/sports-night.md)
- *The Lion King* (1994), Fi1m 84, as Rafiki (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-lion-king.md)
- *Seems Like Old Times* (1980), Fi1m 68, as Fred — [page](https://film.one/film/seems-like-old-times.md)
- *All in the Family* (1971), Fi1m 82, as Dr. Franklin — [page](https://film.one/tv/all-in-the-family.md)

## Complete filmography (81)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Once Upon a Studio* (2023), as Rafiki (voice) (archive sound)
- *Columbus Circle* (2012), as Howard Miles
- *Satin* (2011), as Doc Bishop
- *The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry* (2008), as Mr. Barnes
- *The Lion King 1½* (2004), as Rafiki (voice)
- *Timon & Pumbaa Virtual Safari 2.0* (2004), as Rafiki (voice) (archive audio)
- *Century City* (2004), series, as Judge
- *Timon & Pumbaa's Virtual Safari 1.5* (2004), as Rafiki (voice) (archive sound)
- *Big Fish* (2003), as Dr. Bennett (senior) — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/big-fish.md)
- *Timon & Pumba's Virtual Safari* (2003), as Rafiki (voice) (archive audio)
- *The Adventures of Tom Thumb and Thumbelina* (2003), as Ben (voice)
- *Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives* (2003), Actor
- *13th Child* (2002), as Riley
- *8 Simple Rules* (2002), series, as Cody Grant
- *The Land Before Time VIII: The Big Freeze* (2001), as Mr. Thicknose (voice)
- *The Proud Family* (2001), series, as Dr. Parker (voice)
- *CSI: Crime Scene Investigation* (2000), series, as Sonny Bridges
- *Silicon Towers* (1999), as Detective Green
- *The Lion King II: Simba's Pride* (1998), as Rafiki (voice)
- *Sports Night* (1998), series, as Isaac Jaffe — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/sports-night.md)
- *His Bodyguard* (1998), as Garrett
- *Merry Christmas, George Bailey* (1997), as Mr. Gower
- *Pandora's Clock* (1996), series, as Ambassador Lee Lancaster
- *Panic in the Skies!* (1996), as Rob Barnes
- *Promised Land* (1996), series, Actor
- *First Kid* (1996), as Wilkes
- *Run for the Dream: The Gail Devers Story* (1996), as Reverend Devers
- *Spy Hard* (1996), as Agent Steve Bishop
- *Lamb Chop's Chanukah and Passover Surprise* (1996), as Robert
- *Moesha* (1996), series, as Arthur
- *Timon and Pumbaa* (1995), series, as Rafiki (voice)
- *The Outer Limits* (1995), series, as Mr. Brown
- *Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child* (1995), series, as Narrator (voice)
- *Children of the Dust* (1995), series, as Mossburger
- *Cosmic Slop* (1994), as Gleason Golightly (segment 'Space Traders')
- *Touched by an Angel* (1994), series, as Judge Dawes
- *Greyhounds* (1994), as Robert Smith
- *The Lion King* (1994), as Rafiki (voice) — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/the-lion-king.md)
- *Burke's Law* (1994), series, as Eugene Sayers
- *Diagnosis: Murder* (1993), series, as Father Morrissey
- *The Meteor Man* (1993), as Ted Reed
- *Saved by the Bell: The College Years* (1993), series, as Dr. Arthur Hemmings
- *Mastergate* (1992), as Senator Sellers
- *Jack's Place* (1992), series, Actor
- *Fish Police* (1992), series, as Det. Catfish (voice)
- *You Must Remember This* (1992), as Uncle Buddy
- *Pacific Station* (1991), series, as Bob Ballard
- *Fire and Rain* (1990), as Carter
- *Death Warrant* (1990), as Hawkins
- *The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air* (1990), series, as Pete Fletcher
- *The Robert Guillaume Show* (1989), series, as Edward Sawyer
- *The Penthouse* (1989), as Eugene St. Clair
- *Lean On Me* (1989), as Dr. Frank Napier
- *Perry Mason: The Case of the Scandalous Scoundrel* (1987), as Harlan Wade
- *A Different World* (1987), series, as Dean Winston, Prof. Murphy
- *Crossbow* (1987), series, Actor
- *They Still Call Me Bruce* (1987), as V.A. Officer Johnson
- *Wanted: Dead or Alive* (1987), as Philmore Walker
- *John Grin's Christmas* (1986), as John Grin · Director
- *L.A. Law* (1986), series, as Edward Rollins
- *Passion and Memory* (1986), as Host
- *Prince Jack* (1985), as Martin Luther King
- *North and South* (1985), series, as Frederick Douglass
- *The Fantastic World of D.C. Collins* (1984), Executive Producer
- *The Kid with the 200 I.Q.* (1983), as Prof. Jason Mills · Executive Producer
- *Hotel* (1982), series, Actor
- *The Kid with the Broken Halo* (1982), as Blake
- *Purlie* (1981), as Purlie
- *Seems Like Old Times* (1980), as Fred — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/seems-like-old-times.md)
- *The Donna Summer Special* (1980), as An Angel
- *The Kid from Left Field* (1979), as Larry Cooper
- *Benson* (1979), series, as Benson DuBois
- *The Love Boat* (1977), series, as Frank Belloque, Allan Curtis
- *Soap* (1977), series, as Benson
- *The Jeffersons* (1975), series, Actor
- *Good Times* (1974), series, Actor
- *Super Fly T.N.T.* (1973), as Jordan Gaines
- *Sanford and Son* (1972), series, Actor
- *All in the Family* (1971), series, as Dr. Franklin — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/all-in-the-family.md)
- *Marcus Welby, M.D.* (1969), series, as Aaron Carothers
- *Julia* (1968), series, Actor

## Gallery

- ![intérieur du théâtre du Capitole. Le 23 février 1967. Plan rapproché sur scène, vue des coulisses, avec de gauche à droite les chanteurs George Goodman, William](https://film.one/media/person/83924/gallery-9f326ca88410.jpg) intérieur du théâtre du Capitole. Le 23 février 1967. Plan rapproché sur scène, vue des coulisses, avec de gauche à droite les chanteurs George Goodman, William — André Cros, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/23.02.1967._Porgy_and_Bess._%281967%29_-_53Fi2508.jpg/1280px-23.02.1967._Porgy_and_Bess._%281967%29_-_53Fi2508.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Photo taken at the premiere of the movie SEEMS LIKE OLD TIMES 12/10/80 - Permission granted to copy, publish or post but please credit "photo by Alan Light" if  (2010)](https://film.one/media/person/83924/gallery-5d10563155a9.jpg) Photo taken at the premiere of the movie SEEMS LIKE OLD TIMES 12/10/80 - Permission granted to copy, publish or post but please credit "photo by Alan Light" if  (2010) — Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/Army_Archerd_with_Robert_Guillaume_%284506519632%29.jpg/1280px-Army_Archerd_with_Robert_Guillaume_%284506519632%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Photo taken at the premiere of the movie SEEMS LIKE OLD TIMES 12/10/80 - Permission granted to copy, publish or post but please credit "photo by Alan Light" if  (2010)](https://film.one/media/person/83924/gallery-565fbba3eb66.jpg) Photo taken at the premiere of the movie SEEMS LIKE OLD TIMES 12/10/80 - Permission granted to copy, publish or post but please credit "photo by Alan Light" if  (2010) — Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/74/Katherine_Helmond_and_Robert_Guillaume_%284505883911%29.jpg/1280px-Katherine_Helmond_and_Robert_Guillaume_%284505883911%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Robert Guillaume](https://film.one/media/person/83924/gallery-e1a1aa9c7469.jpg) Robert Guillaume — Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/18/Robert_Guillaume_%281980%29.jpg/1280px-Robert_Guillaume_%281980%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Robert Guillaume](https://film.one/media/person/83924/gallery-f1148aeb0812.jpg) Robert Guillaume — Image via TMDB
- ![Robert Guillaume](https://film.one/media/person/83924/gallery-873121b91e76.jpg) Robert Guillaume — Image via TMDB
- ![Photo of Robert Guillaume as Benson from the television program SOAP. (1977)](https://film.one/media/person/83924/gallery-8561e01c8453.jpg) Photo of Robert Guillaume as Benson from the television program SOAP. (1977) — ABC Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a2/Robert_Guillaume_SOAP_1977.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)

## Awards

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 2 won

- 1985: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (won), for *Benson*
- 1979: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (won), for *Soap*

### Other awards — 1 won, 1 nominated

- Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for Children 1995: Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for Children (won)
- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical 1977: Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical (nominated)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/robert-guillaume