Duane Lionel Jones, Pioneering Actor and Scholar, Dies at 51, Leaving a Lasting Legacy in Film and Education
New York, New York – Duane Lionel Jones, an iconic actor, scholar, and educator, tragically passed away in 1988 at the age of 51. He is best known for his groundbreaking role in George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead (1968), where he made history as the first African American actor to star as the hero in a horror film.
Jones’s role as Ben in the cult-classic was a powerful statement in an era when opportunities for Black actors were limited to stereotypical roles. His portrayal challenged the norms of Hollywood, and despite the film’s controversial ending, Jones’s legacy as a pioneering Black actor continues to resonate in the industry today.
Beyond his acting career, Jones was a dedicated educator and scholar. He served as the director of the Maguire Theater at the State University of New York and worked as the artistic director of the Richard Allen Center for Culture and Art in Manhattan. His intellectual curiosity led him to earn degrees from institutions like the University of Pittsburgh, the Sorbonne, and New York University, where he completed an M.A. in Communications.
Jones’s contributions to the arts and education, as well as his unwavering commitment to nurturing Black talent, have left an indelible mark. He is remembered not only for his remarkable acting but for his role in reshaping the landscape of American cinema and theater.
Friends and colleagues have expressed their admiration and sadness at his loss. The family has yet to announce funeral arrangements.