Lonne Elder III was born on December 26, 1927 in Americus, Georgia, USA. He was a writer and actor, known for A Woman Called Moses (1978), Sounder (1972) and Melinda (1972). He was married to Judyann Elder and Mary Gross. He died on June 11, 1996 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
He was the first African American to be nominated for an Academy Award
for Best Screenplay for the feature film Sounder (1972); he and writer William H. Armstrong
shared the writing credits for this film.
Originated the role of "Bobo" in Lorraine Hansberry's play, "A Raisin
in the Sun".
Survived by his three children: David, Christian, and Lonnie-Christine, two brothers, and two sisters.
Inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame in 1979.