Rod Perry (actor)


Rod Perry is a former American actor best known for his role as Sgt. David "Deacon" Kay in the 1970s TV series S.W.A.T.. Perry also played leading roles in two blaxploitation movies in the mid-1970s: The Black Godfather and The Black Gestapo. Other TV appearances include Barney Miller, Good Times, Babylon 5, and the 1974 TV movies The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman and Trapped Beneath the Sea.
In the 2000s, Perry had a cameo role in the 2003 film version of S.W.A.T., playing the father of the character he portrayed three decades earlier in the TV series, played on this occasion by LL Cool J.

Background

He is the father of singer DeQn Sue who released her Zeitgeist album in 2014.

Career

Perry's earliest film work was in the Lamberto V. Avellana directed Indian / Philippine film, The Evil Within, released in 1970. He played the part of Rod Stevens who teamed up with special agent Dev Varma to bust up an opium syndicate. Following that he played the part of cowboy Joe Pittman in the made for television film, The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman. His character Joe Pittman marries Miss Jane Pittman. After he is killed from being dragged by a horse. After that he had the lead role in Street Wars aka The Black Godfather, which also starred Don Chastain and Jimmy Witherspoon.
Perry was cast as Sgt. David "Deacon" Kay in the TV series S.W.A.T which came out in 1975, and ran until 1976. The role of "Deacon" was to take care of the field communication. Perry played the lead role of Gen. Ahmed in the 1975 exploitation flick, The Black Gestapo.
In 2005, he appeared in Halloween House Party which also starred Joe Torry, Rachel Owens and Buddy Lewis.

Filmography

TitleRoleDirectorYearNotes #
The Evil WithinRod StevensLamberto V. Avellana1970
The Autobiography of Miss Jane PittmanJoe PittmanJohn Korty1974Made for television
The Black Godfather aka Street WarsJ.J.John Evans1974
Trapped Beneath the SeaJimmyWilliam Graham1974Made for television
The Black GestapoGeneral AhmedLee Frost1975
S.W.A.T.Deke's DadClark Johnson2003
Halloween House Party Leo Lawrence2005

TitleEpisode #RoleDirectorYearNotes #
On Broadway TonightHimself1964aired 9 September 1964
The Merv Griffin ShowEpisode #2.55Himself1965aired 23 July 1965
The Merv Griffin ShowEpisode #3.54Himself1965aired 18 November 1965
The Merv Griffin Show Episode #3.61Himself1965aired 29 November 1965
Barney MillerThe Life and Times of Barney MillerSgt. WilsonTheodore J. Flicker1974aired 22 August 1974
Barney MillerExperienceSgt. WilsonDanny Arnold1975aired 30 January 1975
S.W.A.T.37 episodes from
1975-1976		Sergeant David 'Deacon' Kayvarious1975 - 1976aired 24 February 1975
to
3 April 1976
Project U.F.O.Sighting 4003: The Fremont IncidentRobert Lee ArmstrongSigmund Neufeld1978aired 12 March 1978
Good TimesA Matter of MothersJeffreyGerren Keith1979aired 18 July 1979
Babylon 5Survivors''General NetterJim Johnston1994aired 4 May 1994