Bill Nunn Archives - I Love Old School Music

This Actor Became A Legend Who Starred In Classic Black ’80s/’90s Films

ilosm — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 17:14:39 +0000

This actor grew up to become a star in some of our favorite ’80s and ’90s movies. His characters were always some of the most memorable every time he graced the big screen. One character in particular will forever be a defining moment within his career because it was one of our first introductions to him and his performance made the industry take notice.

Who Is He?

He is none other than the one and only “Radio Raheem” from Do The Right Thing!

Bill Nunn as “Radio Raheem” in “Do The Right Thing”

Actor, Bill Nunn — who sadly passed away in 2016 — was also know for his other popular roles as “Grady” from School Daze; “Nino Brown’s” bodyguard, “Duh Duh Duh Man” in New Jack City; and “Bottom Hammer” in Mo’ Better Blues. Bill also starred in several roles since those infamous classics, but he’ll always be “Radio Raheem” to us.

After his radio “Radio Raheem” days were long behind him, in his latter years Bill Nunn was still been getting his acting on consistently. He had fifty films and three TV series under his belt, with the his last work being on USA Network’s comedy-drama series, Sirens.

Though it may seem like it was just yesterday he was playing a college dude in School Daze and bumpin’ Public Enemy out of his boombox in the Bronx neighborhood in Do The Right Thing, Bill was 62 years young when he died from leukemia. But up until his last days he was showing youngin’s how it’s done on-screen.

He is survived by his widow, Donna, and his two children, Cydney (pictured below) and Jessica.

Check out a quick interview of Bill on the set of of the then-new show, Sirens…

What was your favorite Bill Nunn character?

Duh Duh Duh Man (New Jack City)

Bottom Hammer (Mo’ Better Blues)

Grady (School Daze)

Radio Raheem (Do The Right Thing)

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The post This Actor Became A Legend Who Starred In Classic Black ’80s/’90s Films appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

Bill Nunn: ‘Radio Raheem’ From ‘Do The Right Thing’ Dead At Age 62

I Love Old School Music — Sat, 24 Sep 2016 21:34:24 +0000

ILOSM fam, 2016 has claimed yet another life. William “Bill” Nunn, best known for his role as “Radio Raheem” in Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing, has died. He was 62-years-old.

The Announcement:

A couple hours ago, Spike Lee took to Instagram with a heartfelt announcement about Nunn’s untimely death. With a notable still from the memorable 1989 film, Spike Lee revealed Nunn passed away in his hometown this morning.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BKv3GyABu8Q/

“My Dear Friend, My Dear Morehouse Brother- Da Great Actor Bill Nunn As Most Of You Know Him As Radio Raheem Passed Away This Morning In His Hometown Of Pittsburgh,” Spike wrote. “Long Live Bill NUNN. RADIO RAHEEM Is Now RESTING IN POWER. RADIO RAHEEM WILL ALWAYS BE FIGHTING DA POWERS DAT BE. MAY GOD WATCH OVER BILL NUNN.”

Spike also shared a number of other timeless posts commemorating the life of Bill Nunn. As expected, fans have flooded Spike’s timeline with condolences to Nunn and his family.

@officialspikelee Radio Raheem. Let me tell you the story of Right Hand, Left Hand. It’s a tale of good and evil. Hate! It was with this hand that Cane iced his brother. Love! These five fingers, they go straight to the soul of man. The right hand: the hand of love. The story of life is this: static. One hand is always fighting the other hand, and the left hand is kicking much ass. I mean, it looks like the right hand, Love is finished. But hold on, stop the presses the right hand is coming back. Yeah, he got the left hand on the ropes, now, that’s right. Yea, Boom, it’s a devastating right and Hate is hurt, he’s down. Ooh! Ooh! Left-Hand Hate KOed by Love. If I love you, I love you. But if I hate you…Mookie: there it is, Love and Hate. Raheem I love you bruh…

https://www.instagram.com/p/BKwBPbzBcpa/

Cause of Death:

At this point, no cause of death has been made public. In fact, it’s unclear whether or not some form of illness led to Nunn’s death. Although in his later years he was seen walking with a cane, he appeared to be in good health.

His Legacy:

Across a career that spanned nearly three decades, the versatile Nunn appeared with Harrison Ford in “Regarding Henry,” Whoopi Goldberg in “Sister Act,” Al Pacino in “Lockdown” and Tobey Maguire in the “Spider-Man” trilogy.

He also memorably played Duh Duh Duh Man, the drug gang enforcer and personal bodyguard to Wesley Snipes’ Nino Brown character in the 1991 film “New Jack City.”

The 1989 movie classic was Bill Nunn’s second collaboration with Spike Lee after his major movie debut in “School Daze.” (VIA YOUTUBE/MOVIECLIPS)

Nunn was featured in the 2004 Broadway revival of “Raisin In The Sun” with Sean Combs and Audra McDonald, and was cast in three television series — “Traps” with George C. Scott, a sitcom titled “Local Heroes” and “The Job” with Denis Leary.

His father, also named Bill Nunn, was a renowned scout for the Pittsbugh Steelers who became known for helping integrate the team’s roster. He was credited for bringing in players like John Stallworth, Mel Blount and Joe Gilliam.

Bill Nunn is survived by his wife, Donna, and their two daughters Cydney and Jessica. Since Nunn had the opportunity to be part of memorable films like School Daze, New Jack City, Sister Act, and He Got Game, the impact he has made on the film industry will be remembered for many years to come.

RIP to #BillNunn. I will always remember him as "Radio Raheem" in Spike Lee's "Do The Right Thing." #RestInPeace pic.twitter.com/RqBjx7ECab

— Shomari Stone (@shomaristone) September 24, 2016

Gotta watch "Do the Right Thing" today just on principle #RadioRaheem

— Duggy (@DwayneDuggerII) September 24, 2016

So sorry to hear #BillNunn died: https://t.co/7eo4vQbkFO He was best known for playing #RadioRaheem in #SpikeLee's #DoTheRightThing. RIP

— Rickey Smiley (@RickeySmiley) September 24, 2016

#RIP Bill Nunn aka Radio Raheem aka Duh Duh Duh Man! He was the Gangsta Character Actor who played Roles remembered to this Day. pic.twitter.com/SQPG0aSxbH

— Huggy Lowdown (@HuggyLowdownDC) September 24, 2016

The post Bill Nunn: ‘Radio Raheem’ From ‘Do The Right Thing’ Dead At Age 62 appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

This Actor Starred In Popular 80s/90s CLASSIC Films, See Who!

ilosm — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 02:05:47 +0000

This actor grew up to be a star in some of our favorite 80’s and 90’s movie classics. His characters are always some of the most memorable every time he graces the big screen. One character in particular will forever be a defining moment within his career because it was one of our first introductions to him and his performance made the industry take notice.

He is none other that the one and only “Radio Raheem” from Do The Right Thing!

Bill Nunn as “Radio Raheem” in “Do The Right Thing”

Actor Bill Nunn is also know for his other popular roles as “Grady” from School Daze, “Nino Brown’s” bodyguard, “Duh Duh Duh Man” in New Jack City, and “Bottom Hammer” in Mo’ Better Blues. Bill has starred in several roles since these infamous classics, but he’ll always be “Radio Raheem” to us.

So what’s Bill been up to lately? Well his radio Raheem days are long gone, but he still been getting his acting on consistently ever since he made his film debut in Spike Lee’s School Daze. He has fifty films and three TV series under his belt, with the most recent being the current USA network’s comedy-drama series, Sirens. Bill is 61 years of age now and still out here showing these youngin’s how it’s done, but geesh, where did the time go?!! It seems like it was just yesterday he was playing a college dude in School Daze and bumpin’ Public Enemy out of his boombox in the Bronx neighborhood in Do The Right Thing.

Bill is married to his wife Donna and he has two children, Cydney (pictured below) and Jessica.

Check out a quick interview of Bill on the set of of his new show, Sirens…

What was your favorite Bill Nunn character?

Duh Duh Duh Man (New Jack City)

Bottom Hammer (Mo’ Better Blues)

Grady (School Daze)

Radio Raheem (Do The Right Thing)

ILoveOldSchoolMusic, old school news with a new point of view

The post This Actor Starred In Popular 80s/90s CLASSIC Films, See Who! appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

Guess Who? What 80’s/90’s Movie Characters Did This Actor Portray?

I Love Old School Music — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 03:59:11 +0000

This actor grew up to be a star in some of our favorite 80’s and 90’s movie classics. Do you think you can guess which 80’s and 90’s movies he starred in? Turn the page to see if you guessed this one right.

The post Guess Who? What 80’s/90’s Movie Characters Did This Actor Portray? appeared first on I Love Old School Music.