'The Warriors' actor David Harris dead at 75
Actor David Harris, best known for his role in the 1979 film “The Warriors,” has died at age 75.
The actor died at his home in New York City following a battle with cancer, his daughter Davina Harris told the New York Times.
In the cult classic, Harris played Cochise — a member of the red vest-wearing Coney Island gang.
While the film struggled upon its release, it later gained a global fanbase and became a fan-favorite. It now boasts 88% on Rotten Tomatoes.
In 2019, Harris looked back on the film’s success in a radio interview, saying he had no idea that “The Warriors” would stand the test of time.
“It wasn’t a typical gang movie,” he said at the time. “It was futuristic. It was like ‘The Seven Samurai’… It was based on a Greek army that was caught behind enemy lines, and they had to fight their way back all night to get back to their own line — it’s a true story.”
“I was in Hong Kong, I was in the Philippines, I was in Tokyo,” he went on. “I’ve done a lot of movies, but I get off the plane and people go, It’s the guy from ‘The Warriors.'”
Lin-Manuel Miranda, who recently wrote a concept album with playwright Eisa Davis based on “The Warriors,” shared a heartfelt tribute to Harris on Instagram.
“Shocked and saddened at the passing of David Harris, aka the original Cochise in ‘The Warriors,’” he wrote. “We were celebrating and giving him his flowers for his unforgettable performance just over a week ago. Grateful for that moment with him. Our hearts are with his daughter and galaxy of family and friends.”
In addition to his work on the film, Harris appeared in the 1980 film “Brubaker,” 1984’s “A Soldier’s Story, and 1980’s “Quicksilver.” Most recently, he appeared in the 2015 film “James White.”
Harris also boasted several TV credits after appearing on shows like “Law & Order,” Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “NYPD Blue,” “ER, and “Profiler.”
Born in June 1949, the New York native enrolled in the High School of Performing Arts where he found a passion for acting.
“I fell in love with it,” told “The Claw’s Corner” in 2022. “I said you know what, I think this is my niche.”
In addition to his work in TV and film, Harris also appeared in the 1977 play called “Secret Service,” starring Meryl Streep and John Lithgow.
Just a few years after the gig, his agent connected him with “The Warriors” director Walter Hill.
Harris is survived by his mother, three of his siblings, and his two grandchildren.
