Born in Port of Spain, Trinidad of African descent, Holder was an actor known for his towering 200-centimeter (6'6") height, heavily accented deep basso voice and hearty laugh. With that and his appearance in the 1970s 7 Up soft drink "uncola" advertising campaign, Holder's image quickly became recognizable. He was also in the 1967 movie Dr. Dolittle as William Shakespeare, "Willy," and played Baron Samedi, one of the main villain's henchmen, in the 1973 James Bond film, Live and Let Die. Though the 7 Up advertising campaign lasted only a short while in the early 1970s, the company revived the campaign in the early 1980s after Holder achieved a spike in popularity in the 1982 movie version of the musical Annie, in which he played the role of Punjab. He was a prolific painter, ardent art collector, and performer who had also authored books and composed music. As a choreographer, he created dance pieces for many companies, including the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and The Dance Theatre of Harlem. Holder was married to dancer Carmen De Lavallade, whom he met when both were in the cast of Truman Capote's House of Flowers. .

Filmography

• 2008The Magistical — Narrator
• 2005Charlie and the Chocolate Factory — Narrator (voice)
• 2002Bear in the Big Blue House LIVE! - Surprise Party — Ray
• Cyberchase — Master Pi (voice)
• 1999Goosed — Dr. Bowman
• 1998Chance or Coincidence — Gerry
• Bear in the Big Blue House — Ray the Sun
• 1995Going, Going, Almost Gone! Animals in Danger
• 1992Boomerang — Nelson
• 1992Tropical Rainforest — Narrator
• 1987Ghost of a Chance — Johnson
• 1986John Grin's Christmas — Ghost of Christmas Future
• 1983Alice in Wonderland — Cheshire Cat
• 1982Annie — Punjab
• 1980The Gold Bug — Jupiter
• 1976Swashbuckler — Cudjo
• 1975The Noah — Friday
• 1974Goggles! — (voice)
• 1973Live and Let Die — Baron Samedi, Choreographer
• 1973The Man Without a Country — Slave on Ship
• 1972Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex *But Were Afraid to Ask — Sorcerer
• Great Performances — Cheshire Cat
• 1969Krakatoa, East of Java — Sailor
• 1967Androcles and the Lion — Lion
• 1967Doctor Dolittle — William Shakespeare X
• 1958Aladdin — Genie
• DuPont Show of the Month — Genie
• 1956Carib Gold — Voo Doo Dancer

Appearances as themselves (7)

• 2005Carmen & Geoffrey — Self
• 1990Night of 100 Stars III — Self
• 1985Night of 100 Stars II — Self
• 1982All by Myself: The Eartha Kitt Story — Self
• 1982Lights! Camera! Annie! The Making of a Major Hollywood Musical — Self / Punjab
• 1973Bond 1973: The Lost Documentary — Self
• The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson — Self