Rupert Crosse

Rupert Crosse was an American television and film actor who was the first African American to receive a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award nomination, for his role in The Reivers (1969), an adaptation of William Faulkner. Born in New York City and raised in Nevis, he served two years in the U.S. Army and later studied acting under John Cassavetes. He appeared in two Cassavetes films: Shadows (1960), which won him an award at the Venice Film Festival, and Too Late Blues (1961). A life member of The Actors Studio, he made numerous television guest appearances over the next decade. He then played Ned McCaslin in The Reivers (1969), directed by Mark Rydell and starring Steve McQueen. His final screen role came in the sitcom The Partners, alongside Don Adams. He landed the part of Mulhall in The Last Detail (1973) but withdrew, and Otis Young replaced him.