Roscoe Lee Browne (May 2, 1922 - April 11, 2007), an acclaimed American actor and professor, passed away from cancer at his home in Los Angeles, California at 84 years old. Born in Woodbury, New Jersey, Browne spent his early years in the American South and graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School in 1939. After attending Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, he served in the Army for three years in World War II before resuming his studies and later graduating from Columbia University. Browne began his career as a Shakespearean actor on Broadway, playing Benedick in "Much Ado About Nothing," which marked the first time an African-American had taken on the role of a Shakespearean hero. Browne had a long and distinguished film and television career, appearing in films such as "Lilies of the Field" (1963), "The Sporting Club" (1971) and "Outbreak" (1995). He played a variety of roles on TV, ranging from the eloquent Reverend Barrett on "Sanford and Son" to the gruff Colonel Maynard on "Frasier." He also provided the voice of Sydney, the butler to King Triton on the Disney hit "The Little Mermaid." Aside from his acting career, Browne was an adjunct professor of drama at City College of New York for 17 years and a professor emeritus at Virginia Commonwealth University. He was also a noted author of poetry, short stories and essays. Browne is survived by his four children: Stephen, James, Camden and Anthony. A memorial service will be held April 28th in Los Angeles.