Keith Jefferson was an actor best known for his roles in three consecutive Quentin Tarantino movies: “Django Unchained,” “The Hateful Eight,” and “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.”
- Died: October 5, 2023 (Who else died on October 5?)
- Details of death: Died in Los Angeles of cancer at the age of 53.
- We invite you to share condolences for Keith Jefferson in our Guest Book.
Keith Jefferson’s legacy
Jefferson was a star athlete at Eisenhower High School in Houston, playing football, basketball, and track, but acting was what caught his heart and ultimately guided his career. He earned degrees in musical theater and acting from the United States International University and the University of Arizona, respectively.
Jefferson’s career brought him to the stage, where he performed in and toured with productions of “Big River,” “Othello” (in the title role), “Superior Donuts,” and “The Piano Lesson,” among others. He made his first credited jump to the screen in 1997’s “Buffalo Soldiers,” starring Danny Glover, and the following year appeared on “The Jamie Foxx Show.” He and Foxx, a close friend, would collaborate several more times. He also appeared in the TV movie “Murder, She Wrote: The Last Free Man.”
Jefferson’s most notable roles came in a trio of films by Quentin Tarantino: “Django Unchained,” “The Hateful Eight,” and “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” Off-screen, Jefferson was a voice actor, producer, and an acting coach. He announced his cancer diagnosis in August 2023.
Tributes to Keith Jefferson
Full obituary: The Hollywood Reporter
