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Robert Guillaume of Half-Life 2 Fame Remembered by Peers

Robert Guillaume of Half-Life 2 Fame Remembered by Peers

2017 has been an incredibly harsh year in many ways, least of which has been the passing of a vast number of very talented people. The most recent to be taken from us is Robert Guillaume. Gamers will recognize him best as the voice of Eli Vance from Half-Life 2 .

In 1999, Guillaume had a minor stroke, but actually returned to work within a few weeks. He was battling prostate cancer for a number of years and died Tuesday October 24 at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 89. His wife, son, and three daughters survive him.

Guillaume is also remembered for his other roles, such as Dr. Bennet in Big Fish , Rafiki in The Lion King , the Phantom in a 1990 production of Phantom of the Opera , and Benson DuBois in the sitcom Soap . Guillaume won a supporting actor Emmy for his role in Soap and later won another Emmy for outstanding lead actor for the same role. His win marked the first time a black actor won the outstanding lead actor award.

Many stars are taking to Twitter to remember Guillaume as they knew him. A writer at Valve, Marc Laidlaw, said that they told talent scouts to find someone like Robert Guillaume when they were choosing actors for Eli Vance. The talent scouts’ response led to the role that we know today, as they said, “Why not Robert Guillaume?”

Guillaume will very clearly be remembered fondly by all who knew him or his work.

Sources: PC Gamer , BBC

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