Fitz Houston
{{short description|American actor}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Fitz Houston
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1953|06|09}}
| other_names = Fitzhugh Houston
| occupation = {{flatlist|
- Actor
- producer
- director
- musician
- martial artist
- minister}}
| years_active = 1974–present
| known_for =
| notable_works =
}}
Fitz Houston aka Fitzhugh G. Houston (born June 9, 1953) is an African-American actor, musician, author and pastor. As an actor, he played the part of Principal Gordon in Sister, Sister. He appeared in an episode of Sugar and Spice, also The Reverse Peephole, which was an episode of Seinfield and Trust No 1 which was an episode of The X-Files.
Acting career
=1970s to 1980s=
One of Houston's earliest film roles was in the 1979 film Disco Godfather which was directed by J Robert Wagoner and starred Rudy Ray Moore.Videocollector.co.uk - [http://www.videocollector.co.uk/disco-godfather/27890 Disco Godfather] He appeared in a couple of episodes of Knight Rider in 1982 and 1983. One of the roles was as an assembly speaker.Who Was Who on TV, Volume 2, By Norman Chance - [https://books.google.com/books?id=dqLRaPDcbTgC&dq=%22Fitz+Houston%22Knight+Rider%22&pg=PA192 Page 192 Knight Rider: Action: 1982 - 1986, Role Cast Member]Who Was Who on TV, Volume 2, by Norman Chance - [https://books.google.com/books?id=dqLRaPDcbTgC&dq=%22Fitz+Houston%22Cop&pg=PA192 Page 192 Knight Rider: Action: 1982-1986 Role Cast Member] He played the part of Det. Gilbert in the 1986 slasher film Sorority House Massacre which was directed by Carol Frank and produced by Roger Corman.InterFilmes.com - [http://www.interfilmes.com/filme_v1_140094_Mansao.da.Morte-(Sorority.House.Massacre).html#Elenco Mansão da Morte, (Sorority House Massacre) >> Elenco]FDb.cz - [https://www.fdb.cz/film/sorority-house-massacre/tisk/83933 Sorority House Massacre (1986)] Houston appeared in the 1988 film Night of the Kickfighters which was directed by Buddy Reyes and starred Adam West. This was a film about a group of martial artists who take on a terrorist group who are holding a secret weapon. Houston's character Socrates was part of a team that included a gadget man Bomber (played by Michelangelo Kowalski), Clea a computer expert (played by Phyllis Doyle), and Aldo a stage musician (played by Philip Dore).Fist of B-List - [http://www.fistofblist.com/2014/03/night-of-kickfighters-1988.html Night of the Kickfighters (1988)]Videohound's Golden Movie Retriever, 1997, Visible Ink, Visible Ink Press Staff, Craddock - [https://books.google.com/books?id=2RacqQu0B3IC&q=%22Night+of+the+Kickfighters%22Adam+West Page cdxxxi]
=1990s=
Houston played the part of Tony North in the Jean-Paul Ouellette-directed 1990 action film Chinatown Connection, which starred Lee Majors II and brucesploitation actor Bruce Ly. This was a film about two cops trying to find the source of poisoned cocaine.Fist of B-List - [http://www.fistofblist.com/2015/12/chinatown-connection-1990.html Chinatown Connection (1990) PLOT THICKENER]Turner Classic Movies - [https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/512084/chinatown-connection Chinatown Connection(1990), Cast & Crew] The Tony North character was a menacing and slick villain. He was the cartel enforcer, and he was also the one behind the poisoning of the narcotics.World Film Geek - [https://worldfilmgeek.com/2017/07/15/review-chinatown-connection-1988/ Chinatown Connection (1988)] Fist of B-List in their review of the film likened him to as a cross between Predator-era Carl Weathers with muscles and former pro-wrestler, Norman Smiley great polo shirts and Norman Smiley.Fist of B-List - [http://www.fistofblist.com/2015/12/chinatown-connection-1990.html Chinatown Connection (1990)]
Houston wanted to get into the field of voice acting, and he got the part of Mr. Bones in the 1996 video game Mr. Bones. Houston had some freedom his own ideas into the mix and he drew from the character George "Kingfish" Stevens which had been played by actor Tim Moore. Certain aspects of Houston's actual facial features were incorporated into the video characters emotion expression. Houston's lines were recorded at Sega Studios and he recorded a song "In This World" with Ronnie Montrose.Playing at the Next Level: A History of American Sega Games, By Ken Horowitz - [https://books.google.com/books?id=9LN5DQAAQBAJ&dq=%22Fitz+Houston%22Ronnie+Montrose&pg=PT275 Page 263 Sega Soft]
In 1998, he played a cop in an episode of Seinfeld, The Reverse Peephole, which aired on 1/8/98.TV AV Club - [https://www.avclub.com/seinfeld-the-dealership-the-reverse-peephole-1798171993 Seinfeld: “The Dealership”/“The Reverse Peephole”]Seinfeld Reference: The Complete Encyclopedia with Biographies, Character Profiles & Episode Summaries, By Dennis Bjorklund - [https://books.google.com/books?id=9RyY2Mtqk54C&dq=%22Fitz+Houston%22Cop&pg=PT250 168, "The Reverse Peephole" (1.5.98)]
=2000s=
He played the role of Melvin in the 2007 film Rich in Spirit which was directed by Cora Anne. It was a comedy about a preacher who has a belief that anyone can have a good life if they work hard for it. His belief is challenged when one day he switches body with a homeless man. Karen Andrade and Marquis Henderson also starred in the film.Rotten Tomatoes - [https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/fitz-houston/ Fitz Houston, FILMOGRAPHY]Historical Dictionary of African American Cinema, By S. Torriano Berry, Venise T. Berry - [https://books.google.com/books?id=8NJbCQAAQBAJ&dq=%22Fitz+Houston%22POlice&pg=PA371 Page 371 RICH IN SPIRIT]
The Eric Darnell Redding directed film, A Fatal Friend was released in 2015. He played the part of Captain Hunt.Sens Critique - [https://www.senscritique.com/film/A_Fatal_Friend/12681515 A Fatal Friend (2015)]
He appeared in the "Greg and Larry" episode of Brooklyn Nine-Nine. The episode also featured Dennis Haysbert, Tisha French and Kristin Hensley aired in 2016.TVmaze.com - [https://www.tvmaze.com/episodes/636790/brooklyn-nine-nine-3x23-greg-and-larry/cast Greg and Larry - Guest Cast]Brooklyn Nine-Nine Site - [https://theninenine.com/quotes/episode/323/Greg-and-Larry/ Quotes > Greg and Larry] He played the part of Pastor Fredricks in Eric Darnell Redding 2016 made-for-television movie, Hollywood Fiction which also starred Audi Resendez and Noah Staggs.InterFilmes.com - [http://www.interfilmes.com/filme_v1_312385_Hollywood.Fiction-(Hollywood.Fiction).html#Elenco Hollywood Fiction, >> Elenco]
In 2018, Houston appeared in the Matthew Charles Santoro directed sci-fi film, Higher Power.Imdb - [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2924392/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm#cast Higher Power (2018), Full Cast & Crew]FilmAffinity - [https://www.filmaffinity.com/en/film447874.html Higher Power, Cast]
Filmography (selective)
=Television shows=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|+ Television |
| scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Episode ! scope="col" | Role ! scope="col" | Director ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| scope="row" | The Facts of Life
| Starstruck | Fitz | 1982 | as Fitzhugh Houston |
| scope="row" | Knight Rider
| Just My Bill | Assembly Speaker | 1982 | as Fitzhugh H. Houston |
| scope="row" | Knight Rider
| Brother's Keeper | Sidney Hayers | Parole Board Member | 1983 | as Fitzhugh G. Houston |
| scope="row" | E/R
| All Tied Up | Paramedic | 1985 | as Fitzhugh Houston |
| scope="row" | Faerie Tale Theatre
| Puss in Boots | Edward- Middle Brother | 1985 | |
| scope="row" | Hill Street Blues
| Two Easy Pieces | Fleeing suspect | 1996 | Fitzhugh G. Houston |
| scope="row" | 227
| The Refrigerator | Friend | 1985 | as Fitzhugh G. Houston |
| scope="row" | 227
| Check Snub | Sergeant | 1987 | as Fitzhugh G. Houston |
| scope="row" | 227
| Shall We Dance? | Phillip Evans | Gerren Keith | 1988 | |
| scope="row" | Matlock
| The Umpire | Lt. Parker | Harvey S. Laidman | 1988 | as Fitzhugh G. Houston |
| scope="row" | Quantum Leap
| Honeymoon Express - April 27, 1960 | Black Senator | 1989 | as Fitzhugh G. Houston |
| scope="row" | Knots Landing
| If I Die Before I Wake | Sherriff | 1990 | as Fitzhugh G. Houston |
| scope="row" | Sugar and Spice
| Breaking in Is Hard to Do | Deputy | 1990 | |
| scope="row" | Married with Children
| Man's Castle | Rich | 1991 | as Fitzhugh G. Houston |
| scope="row" | My Life and Times
| April 9, 2035 | Policeman | 1991 | as Fitzhugh G. Houston |
| scope="row" | The Wonder Years
| Christmas Party | Clerk | 1991 | as Fitzhugh Houston |
| scope="row" | Roc
| No Notes Is Good Notes | Sam Cummings | 1992 | as Fitzhugh G. Houston |
| scope="row" | Tequila and Bonetti
| The Rose Cadillac | Policeman at Movie Set | 1992 | |
| scope="row" | A Different World
| Sellmates | Grieving Customer | 1992 | as Fitzhugh Houston |
| scope="row" | Coach
| The Pioneer Bowl | Booster #2 | 1993 | |
| scope="row" | Seaquest DSV
| Abalon | Other Policeman | Les Sheldon | 1994 | |
| scope="row" | The Eddie Files
| Decimals: The Fake Money Caper | Sergeant | Rob Mikuriya | 1997 | |
| scope="row" | Sister, Sister
| Child's Play | Principal Gordon | 1997 | |
| scope="row" | Mike Hammer, Private Eye
| Hoop Nightmares | Eddie Thomas | 1997 | |
| scope="row" | Seinfeld
| The Reverse Peephole | Cop | 1998 | |
| scope="row" | The Parent 'Hood
| Color Him Father | Coach Fields | Loretha C. Jones | 1998 | |
| scope="row" | Sparks
| Cain and Abel Sparks | Milo | | 1998 | |
| scope="row" | Hang Time
| Breaks of the Game | The Campus Guard | Patrick Maloney | 1998 | |
| scope="row" | The Norm Show
| Norm vs. Christmas | Charlie | Gerry Cohen | 1999 | |
| scope="row" | The Michael Richards Show
| The Identity Loan | Police Officer | 2000 | |
| scope="row" | The Michael Richards Show
| It's Only Personal | Police Officer | 2000 | |
| scope="row" | Judging Amy
| Adoption Day | Guard | 2001 | |
| scope="row" | Titus
| The Smell of Success | Judge | 2001 | |
| scope="row" | Titus
| Three Strikes | Judge | 2001 | |
| scope="row" | Philly
| Blown Away | Jerry | 2001 | |
| scope="row" | Family Law
| Intentions | Jury Foreman #2 | 2001 | |
| scope="row" | Family Law
| No Options | Officer #2 | 2001 | |
| scope="row" | The X Files
| "Trust No 1" | Station Manager | 2002 | |
| scope="row" | Providence
| Smoke and Mirrors | Security Guard | 2002 | |
| scope="row" | Robbery Homicide Division
| Mini-Mall | P.O. Mike Laskaway | 2002 | |
| scope="row" | Malcolm in the Middle
| Forbidden Girlfriend | Other man | 2002 | |
| scope="row" | The District
| Goodbye, Jenny | Ron - Bus Driver | Christopher Taylor | 2003 | |
| scope="row" | Watching Ellie
| TV | Security Guard | 2003 | |
| scope="row" | JAG: Judge Advocate General
| People vs. SecNav | Security Officer Ray Costanza | 2004 | |
| scope="row" | It's All Relative
| A Long Day's Journey Into Leonard's | Whit | 2004 | |
| scope="row" | That's So Raven
| There Goes the Bride | Minister | Erma Elzy-Jones | 2004 | |
| scope="row" | NYPD Blue
| You're Buggin' Me | Chuck | 2004 | |
| scope="row" | Standoff
| Backfire | Metro Operator | 2007 | |
| scope="row" | True Jackson, VP
| The Prototype | Security Guard | 2009 | |
| scope="row" | According to Jim
| According to Jim | Police Officer | Dennis Capps | 2009 | |
| scope="row" | The Forgotten
| Lucky John | Clerk | Tucker Gates | 2009 | |
| scope="row" | The Deep End
| Pilot | Court Security Guard | Michael Fresco | 2010 | |
| scope="row" | The Secret Life of the American Teenager
| Choices | Ed | 2010 | |
| scope="row" | Get Thee Behind Me
| 12 Episodes | Pastor Ruford Royale | Sid Burston | 2010 | |
| scope="row" | Justified
| Full Commitment | Louie | 2011 | |
| scope="row" | 90210
| Women on the Verge | Groundskeeper | 2011 | |
| scope="row" | Trophy Wife
| The Tryst | Janitor | 2013 | |
| scope="row" | Black Jesus
| Smokin', Drinkin', and Chillin | Eugene, The Parking Meter Man | 2014 | |
| scope="row" | Battle Creek
| Syruptitious | Klecko | 2015 | |
| scope="row" | About Us
| About Adjustments | James Sykes | Avery Anthony | 2015 | |
| scope="row" | Brooklyn Nine-Nine
| Greg and Larry | Berj Jones | 2016 | |
| scope="row" | This Is Us
| The Big Day | Teddy | Ken Olin | 2017 | |
| scope="row" | Fresh Off the Boat
| Clean Slate | Mailman | Bill Purple | 2017 | |
| scope="row" | Baskets
| Denver | Denver Taxi Driver | 2017 | |
| scope="row" | Rosewood
| Calliphoridae & Country Roads | Townsperson | 2017 | |
| scope="row" | Wicked
| Introducing the Blanchard Family | Apostle Larry Blanchard | Deonte' Bolden | 2017 | |
| scope="row" | Wicked
| You Shall Reap What You Sow | Apostle Larry Blanchard | Deonte' Bolden | 2017 | |
| scope="row" | Wicked
| The Dark Cloud | Apostle Larry Blanchard | Deonte' Bolden | 2017 | |
| scope="row" | Wicked
| Troubled Waters | Apostle Larry Blanchard | Deonte' Bolden | 2017 | |
| scope="row" | Wicked
| Rebellious Souls | Apostle Larry Blanchard | Deonte' Bolden | 2017 | |
| scope="row" |
| | | | | |
=Films=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|+ Film |
| scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Role ! scope="col" | Director ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes # |
|---|
| scope="row" | Disco Godfather
| | J. Robert Wagoner | 1979 | |
| scope="row" | Sorority House Massacre
| Det. Gilbert | Carol Frank | 1986 | as Fitzhough Huston |
| scope="row" | Night of the Kickfighters
| Socrates | Buddy Reyes | 1988 | as Fitzhugh G. Houston |
| scope="row" | A Killer Among Us
| | 1990 | as Fitzhugh G. HoustonImdb - [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0396826/ Fitz Houston, Filmography] |
| scope="row" | Chinatown Connection
| Tony North | 1990 |
| scope="row" | Monday Morning
| Chief Woods | 1990 | as Fitzhugh G. Houston |
| scope="row" | Eastside
| Car Wash Manager | Lorena David | 1999 | |
| scope="row" | The Extreme Adventures of Super Dave
| Mover | Peter MacDonald | 2000 | |
| scope="row" | Four Dogs Playing Poker
| Plainclothes Cop | 2000 | |
| scope="row" | Blood: The Last Vampire
| S.P. #1 (voice) | 2000 | |
| scope="row" | Jane Doe: Vanishing Act
| High Desert Federal Agent | 2005 | TV movie |
| scope="row" | Rampart
| Detective Thomas | Richard Givens | 2005 | |
| scope="row" | Cold Comfort
| Sam | Hovik Thomasian | 2006 | |
| scope="row" | Sacrifices of the Heart
| Prosecutor | 2007 | TV movie |
| scope="row" | Rich in Spirit
| Melvin | Cora Anne | 2007 | |
| scope="row" | Bound by a Secret
| Ed | David S. Cass Sr. | 2009 | |
| scope="row" | Miles Away
| Kenny MC. Reese | Jimmy Jenkins | 2015 | |
| scope="row" | A Fatal Friend
| Captain Hunt | Eric Darnell Redding | 2015 | |
| scope="row" | Hollywood Fiction
| Pastor Fredricks | Eric Darnell Redding | 2016 | TV movie |
| scope="row" | Higher Power
| Frank | Matthew Charles Santoro | 2018 | Imdb - [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0396826/ Fitz Houston, Filmography] |
| scope="row" |
| | | | |
=Video games=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" |
| scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Role ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes # |
|---|
| scope="row" | Mr. Bones
| Mr. Bones | 1996 | voice, as F. Houston |
| scope="row" | Silent Hill: Homecoming
| Deputy Wheeler | 2008 | voice |
Publications
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|+ Film |
| scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Credited author ! scope="col" | Publisher ! scope="col" | Isbn ! scope="col" | Year |
|---|
| scope="row" | MEN LET'S TALK! Pornography:The Quiet Addiction
| Fitzhugh G. HoustonGoodreads - [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1642596.MEN_LET_S_TALK_Pornography MEN LET'S TALK! Pornography:The Quiet Addiction] | Lulu.com | {{ISBN|1411669711}} | January 20, 2006 |
| scope="row" | GUIDED TO THE LIGHT Book One
| Fitzhugh G. Houston | Houston Spectrum Publishing | ASIN: 0557078466 | June 16, 2009 |
| scope="row" | MEN LET'S TALK (The Victory Over Lust Survival Handbook)
| Fitzhugh G. Houston | lulu.com | {{ISBN|0557195926}} | February 10, 2011 |
| scope="row" | Spoken From the Heart
| Fitzhugh G. Houston | Publisher: lulu.com | {{ISBN|0557415225}} | February 10, 2011 |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0396826/ Imdb: Fitz Houston]
- [https://fitzhoustonmusic.com/ Website]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Houston, Fritz}}
Category:American male film actors
Category:American male television actors
Category:American television producers
Category:American Christian clergy
Category:21st-century African-American male actors
Category:21st-century American male actors