Duane L. Jones (February 2, 1937 – July 22, 1988) was an American actor, best known for his leading role as Ben in the 1968 horror film Night of the Living Dead. He was director of the Maguire Theater at the State University of New York at Old Westbury, and the artistic director of the Richard Allen Center for Culture and Art in Manhattan.

He is not to be confused with another actor of the same name, also known as Barron Winchester.

Biography

Jones was born on February 2, 1937. He had a sister, Marva (later Marva Brooks). A graduate of the Sorbonne, he studied acting in New York City.



His role in 1968 movie Night of the Living Dead marked the first time an African-American actor was cast as the star of a horror film. At the time, casting a black man as the hero of a film where all the other characters were white was potentially controversial. While some saw the casting as significant, the director of the film states "Jones simply gave the best audition." He was executive director of the Black Theater Alliance, a federation of theater companies, from 1976-81.

He taught acting styles at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. As executive director of the Richard Allen Center for Culture and Art (RACCA), he promoted African-American theater. After leaving the American Academy of Dramatic Arts he taught a select group of students privately in Manhattan, by invitation only. His hand-selected students were of diverse ethnic backgrounds.