BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY Kevin Peter Hall (May 9, 1955 – April 10, 1991) was an American actor best known for his roles as the title character in the first two films in the Predator franchise and the title character of Harry in the film and television series, Harry and the Hendersons. He also appeared in the television series Misfits of Science and 227 along with the film, Without Warning.
Early life
Hall was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His parents were of above-average stature; his father, Charles Hall, was 6' 6", and his mother, Sylvia Hall, was 6' 2". At 7' 2" tall,[1] he was the tallest of seven brothers, all over 6' 5". During his high school years at Penn Hills High School, he excelled at basketball and earned a scholarship to George Washington University in Washington, D.C. In college, Hall continued to play basketball and majored in Theatrical Arts.[2] After graduation, Hall moved to Venezuela to play basketball.
Career
Hall made his acting debut in the 1979 horror film Prophecy. Due to his height, he was often cast in monster roles. He appeared as the alien in the 1980 horror film Without Warning and as Gorvil in the 1982 television movie Mazes and Monsters. In 1985, he co-starred in the short-lived series Misfits of Science. He guest-starred on the sitcom Night Court as a huge but gentle mental patient who humorously towered over bailiff Bull Shannon (played by Richard Moll, who is 6'8") and fellow mental patient; played by James Cromwell (who is 6'7"). The next year, Hall portrayed yet another monster in the horror film Monster in the Closet, followed by the role of Harry in Harry and the Hendersons.
In 1986, Hall was cast as the main antagonist in Predator, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. During its developmental stages, the Predator was going to be played by Jean-Claude Van Damme, who played the Predator for the first few scenes but was not billed in the end credits. The producers decided to recast the role with Hall so that the Predator could more convincingly dominate the film's human characters with its greater size. Hall would go on to reprise the role in the 1990 sequel.
Following his role in Predator, Hall appeared in the film Big Top Pee-wee (1988) and had a guest spot on Star Trek: The Next Generation. From 1989 to 1990, he had a recurring role on the NBC sitcom 227. In 1990, Hall reprised his role as Harry in the television series Harry and the Hendersons, based on the 1987 film of the same name. He died during the series' first season.
Personal life and death
Hall met actress Alaina Reed while taping a guest spot on the television show 227. The couple would marry both on the show and in real life.[3]
While working on the TV series Harry and the Hendersons, Hall announced that he had contracted HIV from a blood transfusion.[4] He died from AIDS-related pneumonia on April 10, 1991.[5] He was 35 years old.
Honors
Hall was posthumously inducted into the Penn Hills Hall of Fame as part of the inaugural class on May 8, 2009.[6]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Prophecy | Mutant bear | Uncredited |
| 1980 | Without Warning | The Alien | Credited as Kevin Hall |
| 1982 | Mazes and Monsters | Gorvil | Television movie |
| 1983 | One Dark Night | Eddie | |
| 1984 | The Wild Life | Bouncer | Credited as Kevin Hall |
| 1984 | E/R | Donald Haines | Episode: "Mr. Fix-It" |
| 1985 | Night Court | Wendell Martin | Episode: "Nuts About Harry" |
| 1985 | The Dukes of Hazzard | Floyd Malone | Episode: "Opening Night at the Boar's Nest" |
| 1985 to 1986 | Misfits of Science | Dr. Elvin "El" Lincoln | 16 episodes |
| 1986 | Monster in the Closet | Monster | |
| 1987 | Harry and the Hendersons | Harry | |
| 1987 | Predator | The Predator/Helicopter pilot | |
| 1988 | Big Top Pee-wee | Big John | |
| 1989 | Rodney Dangerfield: Opening Night at Rodney's Place | Richard Small | Television special |
| 1989 | Shannon's Deal | Harry | Television movie |
| 1989 | Star Trek: The Next Generation | Leyor | Episode: "The Price" |
| 1989 to 1990 | 227 | Warren Merriwether | 11 episodes |
| 1990 | Predator 2 | The Predator | |
| 1990 to 1991 | Harry and the Hendersons (TV series) | Harry | 4 episodes |
| 1991 | Highway to Hell | Charon |
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