Actor from the classic film “The Warriors” dies at the age of 75

David Harris, an actor known for his role in the 1979 cult classic “The Warriors,” has died.

The New York Times reports that Harris, 75, died of cancer on October 25 at his home in New York City.

He played Cochise in the acclaimed film about a red-clad New York gang from Coney Island.

“The Warriors” by Walter Hill (“The Driver,” “Brewster’s Millions,” “Aliens”) is based on the 1965 novel of the same name by Sol Yurick.

Some critics panned the film, but over the years the film has been reevaluated.

“The Warriors” was Harris' film debut.

In the film, the Warriors travel to the Bronx for a major gang summit and are falsely accused of killing a gang leader.

“We thought it was a little film that would run its course and no one would ever talk about it again,” Harris told ADAMICradio in 2019.

“I was in Hong Kong, I was in the Philippines, I was in Tokyo,” he said. “I've been in a lot of movies, but when I get off the plane people say, 'That's the guy from The Warriors.'”

A native of New York, Harris discovered his love of acting at the High School of Performing Arts and studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

He made his screen debut in the 1976 Emmy-nominated television film Judge Horton and the Scottsboro Boys. The actor later appeared in an episode of “Kojak” and in the Broadway play “Secret Service” with Meryl Streep and John Lithgow.

After “The Warriors,” Harris had a role in the Oscar-nominated 1980 Robert Redford film “Brubaker.”

His other films include “Purple Hearts” (1984), “A Soldier's Story” (1984), which was nominated for Best Picture; “Quicksilver” (1986), “Fire with Fire” (1986) and “Fatal Beauty” (1987) with Whoopi Goldberg.

Harris' TV credits include the TV movie “Attica,” “MacGyver,” “NYPD Blue,” “The Equalizer,” “Hill Street Blues,” “ER,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and “Elementary.” from 1990. and “First Wives Club”.

The actor is survived by his daughter Davina Harris; his mother, Maude Marie Harris; sister Jeannette C. Harris-Zwerin; brothers Arthur A. Harris and Vincent J. Harris; and two grandchildren.