Robert Guillaume (Robert Peter Williams)
(November 30, 1927 – October 24, 2017)

(AP) – Robert Guillaume, known for his Emmy, Tony and Grammy-
winning work, as well as TV sitcoms "Soap" and "Benson," has died.  

According to his widow, Donna Brown Guillaume, the St. Louis-born
performer died at home Tuesday in Los Angeles. He had been battling
prostate cancer.

Among Guillaume’s achievements was playing Nathan Detroit in the
first all-black version of "Guys and Dolls," earning a Tony nomination
in 1977. He became the first African-American to sing the title role of
"Phantom of the Opera," appearing with an all-white cast in Los
Angeles.

Fans may also know him as the voice of Rafiki in Disney’s "The Lion
King," for which he won a Grammy award for spoken-word recording
in 1995.