David Harris, an actor known for his role in the 1979 cult classic film “The Warriors,” has died.
The New York Times reports that Harris, 75, died of cancer Oct. 25 at his home in New York City.
He played Cochise in the celebrated film about a red-vested New York gang from Coney Island.
“The Warriors,” directed by Walter Hill (”The Driver,” “Brewster’s Millions,” “Aliens”), is based on the 1965 Sol Yurick novel of the same name.
Some critics panned the film, but the movie was reappraised over the years.
“The Warriors” was Harris’ film debut.
In the movie, The Warriors travel to the Bronx for a big summit of different gangs only to find themselves falsely accused of killing a gang leader.
Harris played Cochise in the film. Paramount Pictures
“We thought it was a little film that would run its little run and go, and nobody would ever talk about it again,” Harris told ADAMICradio in 2019.
“I was in Hong Kong, I was in the Philippines, I was in Tokyo,” he said. “I’ve done a lot of movies, but I get off the plane and people go ‘it’s the guy from “The Warriors.”’”
Harris, a New York native, found his love for acting at the High School of Performing Arts and studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
He made his screen debut in the 1976 Emmy-nominated TV movie “Judge Horton and the Scottsboro Boys.” The actor later appeared in an episode of “Kojak” and in the Broadway play “Secret Service” with Meryl Streep and John Lithgow.
David Harris with his “Warriors” co-star Terry Michos in 2017. Bobby Bank | Getty Images
After “The Warriors,” Harris had a role in the 1980 Oscar-nominated Robert Redford film “Brubaker.”
His other film credits include “Purple Hearts” (1984), “A Soldier’s Story” (1984), which was nominated for best picture; “Quicksilver” (1986), “Fire with Fire” (1986) and “Fatal Beauty” (1987) with Whoopi Goldberg.
Harris’ TV credits include the 1990 TV movie “Attica,” “MacGyver,” “NYPD Blue,” “The Equalizer,” “Hill Street Blues,” “ER,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “Elementary” and “First Wives Club.”
The actor is survived by his daughter, Davina Harris; his mother, Maude Marie Harris; sister Jeannette C. Harris-Zwerin; brothers Arthur A. Harris and Vincent J. Harris; and two grandchildren.
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Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at [email protected] and followed at @AmyKup.
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