Joe Seneca
Encyclopedia
Joe Seneca was an American film and television actor
who had a lengthy Hollywood career, portraying bit parts in many major films and television sitcoms spanning from the 1970s to the 1990s.
Seneca was born Joel McGhee in Cleveland, Ohio
. Prior to his Hollywood career, Seneca belonged to the R&B singing group "The Three Riffs", performing at upscale supper clubs in New York City
. He was also a songwriter
and had big hits with "Talk to Me" which was sung by Little Willie John
and "Break It to Me Gently
", which was a smash twice, once by Brenda Lee
in 1962, and once by Juice Newton
in 1982. His song "It's Gonna Work Out Fine
" was recorded by Ike & Tina Turner
, Manfred Mann
and The Spencer Davis Group.
Arguably his most well-known roles are that of bluesman Willie Brown in Crossroads
and Dr. Meddows in The Blob
, the evil head of a government team sent to contain the title creature.
Seneca also made multiple appearances on The Cosby Show
as Hillman President Dr. Zachariah J. Hanes. He also played Alvin Newcastle on an episode of The Golden Girls entitled "Old Friends."
Joe appeared in Spike Lee's "School Daze" as the Mission College President McPherson in 1988.
Joe appeared on Matlock: The Blues Singer Episode May 9, 1989.
Joe also appeared in Michael Jackson's "The Way You Make Me Feel
" Music Video In the late 80's.
He died from asthma
at the age of 77.
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
who had a lengthy Hollywood career, portraying bit parts in many major films and television sitcoms spanning from the 1970s to the 1990s.
Seneca was born Joel McGhee in Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
. Prior to his Hollywood career, Seneca belonged to the R&B singing group "The Three Riffs", performing at upscale supper clubs in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. He was also a songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
and had big hits with "Talk to Me" which was sung by Little Willie John
Little Willie John
William Edward John was better known by his stage name Little Willie John. Many sources erroneously give his second name as Edgar...
and "Break It to Me Gently
Break It to Me Gently
"Break It to Me Gently" is a pop song written by blues musician Joe Seneca with lyrics by Diane Lampert. Both Brenda Lee and Juice Newton met with considerable success with their versions of the song....
", which was a smash twice, once by Brenda Lee
Brenda Lee
Brenda Mae Tarpley , known as Brenda Lee, is an American performer who sang rockabilly, pop and country music, and had 37 US chart hits during the 1960s, a number surpassed only by Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Ray Charles and Connie Francis...
in 1962, and once by Juice Newton
Juice Newton
Judith Kay "Juice" Newton is an American Pop music and Country singer, songwriter and guitarist...
in 1982. His song "It's Gonna Work Out Fine
It's Gonna Work Out Fine
"It's Gonna Work Out Fine" is a "rock-ish" soul song issued by the team of Ike & Tina Turner, released in 1961.The single, which featured support from another popular duo, Mickey & Sylvia, became another popular single by Ike & Tina, who were still supporting themselves off the success of their...
" was recorded by Ike & Tina Turner
Ike & Tina Turner
Ike & Tina Turner were an American rock & roll and soul duo, made of the husband-and-wife team of Ike Turner and Tina Turner in the 1960s and 1970s. Spanning sixteen years together as a recording group, the duo's repertoire included rock & roll, soul, blues and funk...
, Manfred Mann
Manfred Mann
Manfred Mann was a British beat, rhythm and blues and pop band of the 1960s, named after their South African keyboardist, Manfred Mann, who later led the successful 1970s group Manfred Mann's Earth Band...
and The Spencer Davis Group.
Arguably his most well-known roles are that of bluesman Willie Brown in Crossroads
Crossroads (1986 film)
Crossroads is a 1986 film starring Ralph Macchio, Joe Seneca and Jami Gertz, inspired by the legend of blues musician Robert Johnson.The film was written by John Fusco and directed by Walter Hill and featured an original score featuring Ry Cooder and Steve Vai on the soundtrack's guitar, and...
and Dr. Meddows in The Blob
The Blob (1988 film)
The Blob is a 1988 American monster horror film distributed by Tristar Pictures. It is a remake of the 1958 film of the same name, which starred Steve McQueen. The film was written by Chuck Russell and Frank Darabont and directed by Russell. The shooting took place in Abbeville, Louisiana.-Plot:A...
, the evil head of a government team sent to contain the title creature.
Seneca also made multiple appearances on The Cosby Show
The Cosby Show
The Cosby Show is an American television situation comedy starring Bill Cosby, which aired for eight seasons on NBC from September 20, 1984 until April 30, 1992...
as Hillman President Dr. Zachariah J. Hanes. He also played Alvin Newcastle on an episode of The Golden Girls entitled "Old Friends."
Joe appeared in Spike Lee's "School Daze" as the Mission College President McPherson in 1988.
Joe appeared on Matlock: The Blues Singer Episode May 9, 1989.
Joe also appeared in Michael Jackson's "The Way You Make Me Feel
The Way You Make Me Feel
"The Way You Make Me Feel" is a song by American recording artist Michael Jackson. Released by Epic Records in November 1987, it was the third single from Jackson's seventh studio album Bad. Written and composed by Jackson, and produced by Quincy Jones , the song is credited as being a pop and R&B...
" Music Video In the late 80's.
He died from asthma
Asthma
Asthma is the common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath...
at the age of 77.