Biography
After excelling in football and track Northwestern University, African-American film star Fred Williamson was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers. He later played for Pittsburgh, Oakland and Kansas City, bringing attention to himself in the latter city by wearing a custom-tailored uniform and white shoes, and developing a karate-based offensive move which he called "The Hammer." In 1969, Williamson moved into acting, playing important roles in the original M*A*S*H (1970) and
Otto Preminger's Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon (1970); he also appeared in the recurring part of
Diahann Carroll's macho boyfriend on the TV series
Julia (1969-71). One of Hollywood's major black stars of the 1970s, Fred Williamson starred in such actioners as
The Legend of Nigger Charley (1972),
Hell Up in Harlem (1973),
Take a Hard Ride (1975) and
The Bronx Warriors (1983); in addition, Williamson produced, directed and wrote many of his vehicles. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide