Where Are They Now 50 Years Later? The Cast of 'Coffy'
Today marks the 50th anniversary of the cult classic Coffy. Released on June 13, 1973, Jack Hill wrote and directed the blaxploitation film, which starred Pam Grier as a Black woman vigilante. It was the first starring role for the iconic actress.
Fed up with drugs and organized crime ravaging the inner city, Nurse “Coffy” Coffin goes for revenge after her 11-year-old sister is hospitalized and later dies after shooting up contaminated heroin. In response, Coffy takes to the streets with a loaded shotgun and the determination to shut down the drug trade. During her pursuit, she takes out drug lords, mobsters and pimps that get in her way. The film initially garnered mixed reviews.
For many Black moviegoers, Coffy provided a dose of escapism for those who yearned to see Black characters fighting back against the corruption and crime that soiled their surroundings. Fifty years later, we are looking back at the iconic cast.
Pam Grier as Nurse Flower Child "Coffy" Coffin
Pam Grier's career has soared since Coffy. She has landed iconic roles in HBO's The L-Word and her performance in Quentin Tarantino's Jackie Brown landed her a Golden Globe nomination in 1997. She also stars in a new movie Cinnamon, which streams on Tubi on June 23. Grier rightfully stars as Mama, who is out for revenge after her son is killed in a staged robbery gone wrong.
Booker Bradshaw as Howard Brunswick
Bradshaw wasn't only an actor but a music icon who worked for Motown and managed acts like The Supremes. He also appeared in several television shows, including Star Trek. After Coffy, he wrote for several television shows but did voice over work for many years. Booker Bradshaw passed away at 62 years old in 2003.
Robert DoQui as George "King George"
After Coffy, Robert DoQui would eventually hit it big with the Robocop franchise, starring in all three installments from 1987 to 1993. He continued with small roles and his final credit is in 2007's Positive, part of a series of short films about HIV/AIDS. DoQui passed away the following year at 73 years old.
William Elliott as Officer Carter
Before Coffy, Elliott was an accomplished actor, having worked with everyone from Elvis Presley to and several TV shows like Dragnet from the 1960s. After Coffy, Elliot only had one more role as the lead in the 1974 blaxploitation film Hangup. The movie did not perform well at the box office. Elliot died in 1983 at 49 years old.
Allan Arbus as Arturo Vitroni Curb Your Enthusiasm
Arbus was a steady television actor for years after his role as a mobster Coffy. Although he never became a household, he appeared in iconic television shows from M*A*S*H to Curb Your Enthusiasm. He died in 2013 at 95 years old.
Sid Haig as Omar, Henchman of Vitroni
Haig had a steady career in Hollywood and in 1997 he reunited with Grier when he played a judge in Jackie Brown. However, Haig landed several roles in the horror genre, including several Rob Zombie films. Sid Haig passed away in 2019 at 80 years old.
Lee de Broux as Officer Nick
Broux has not stopped working in the 50 years since Coffy. His film credits range from 1979's Oscar-winning film Norma Rae to 2015's Kids vs Monsters. His last film credit is 2019. In May, he celebrated his 82nd birthday.
Jack Hill (Director)
Jack Hill wrote and directed Coffy, he also wrote and directed Foxy Brown, which was released in 1974. Hill would go onto produce more exploitation films but his final credit is in 1983. Although he stopped making films, Quentin Tarantino has said he was heavily influenced by Hill's work. In 2013, it was reported he was living in North Carolina. Jack Hill is 90 years old
