Robert Kya-Hill, 1930 – 2026

Stage, screen and TV actor Robert Kya-Hill, 95, died on May 31. After serving in the Korean War, Kya-Hill attended the New York College of Music, and performed in New York clubs as a singer and guitarist. He appeared in numerous stage productions, notably as Othello, and as Purlie in Purlie Victorious (his other vehicles included Lost in the Stars, The Glass Menagerie, The Trials of Brother Jero, and The Trial; he also wrote and directed several plays). Although primarily a stage actor, Kya-Hill also appeared in such films and TV shows as Shaft’s Big Score!, The Edge of Night, Death Wish, Good Times, Lou Grant, Eight is Enough, Ryan’s Hope, and The Good Wife. He also taught at Hunter College, and served as director of the New York City Festival of the Arts.