David Harris, ‘The Warriors’ Actor, Dies at 75

David Harris, the actor known for playing Cochise in the 1979 cult classic The Warriors, has died. He was 75.

Harris died of cancer on Friday at his home in New York City, his daughter Davina Harris told the New York Times.

Based on Sol Yurick’s 1965 novel of the same name, The Warriors told the story of a New York City street gang tasked with traveling from the Bronx to Coney Island after they are framed for murder. Harris’ Cochise was a gang member with a defiant fashion sense, punctuated by a heavy turquoise necklace and headband.

The film was critically panned after its premiere, but later grew to be embraced by a fervent fanbase and now holds an 88 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

“I was in Hong Kong, I was in the Philippines, I was in Tokyo,” Harris said in a 2019 interview. “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 Eisa Davis based on The Warriors, posted a tribute on Instagram.

“Shocked and saddened at the passing of David Harris, aka the original Cochise in The Warriors,” Miranda 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.”

Harris appeared in movies throughout the 1980s, ’90s, and 2000s, including 1980’s Brubaker, 1984’s A Soldier’s Story, 1980’s Quicksilver and 2015’s James White. On television, he appeared in episodes of Law & Order and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, NYPD Blue, ER, Profiler and Mike Hammer: Private Eye.

David Dominic Harris was born in New York City on June 18, 1949, per to his daughter. He attended the High School of Performing Arts, where an English teacher suggested he join the drama department.

Harris’ first major screen role came in the 1976 Emmy-nominated TV film Judge Horton and the Scottsboro Boys. In 1977, he was cast in the play Secret Service, starring Meryl Streep and John Lithgow. It was just a few years later that Harris’ agent connected him with The Warriors director Walter Hill.

Harris is survived by his sister, his mother, three siblings and two grandchildren.

Updated 6:55 p.m. Oct. 27: Added Lin-Manuel Miranda’s tribute.

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