Arnold Wilkerson

Background

Wilkerson was born and raised in San Francisco, California.

Education

He attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London where he graduated with a diploma in acting.

Career

As an actor he is particularly known for portraying roles in the original productions of the musicals Hair, Jimmy Shine, and Don"t Bother Maine, I Can"t Cope. He moved to New York City, making his Office-Broadway debut as Hud in the original production of James Rado and Gerome Ragni"s Hair at Joseph Papp"s Public Theater in October 1967. He made his Broadway debut in 1968 as Arnold in the original production of John Sebastian"s Jimmy Shine, sharing the stage with Dustin Hoffman and Rue McClanahan.

In 1969 he acted in Jon Swan"s Fireworks at the Village South Theatre.

That same year he appeared in the original production of Ronald Ribman"s The Most Beautiful Fish with Eileen Dietz which was commissioned by New York Television Theatre for broadcast on Public Broadcasting Service. In 1971, Wilkerson appeared in the world premiere of Micki Grant"s Don"t Bother Maine, I Can"t Cope at the Ford"s Theatre in Washington, District of Columbia He continued with the production when it moved to Broadway the following year. The show was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Musical.

In 1974, he played the role of Jimmy in The Autobiography of Mission Jane Pittman. After Don"t Bother Maine, I Can"t Cope, Wilkerson"s acting career went through a slump and he worked largely as a waiter.

The bakery has since expanded to two locations and has been featured on a number of occasions in The New York Times.

In addition, some of Wilkerson"s pie recipes have been published in the newspaper.

Connections

Partner:

Michael Deraney