David Harris, who starred in the 1979 cult classic ‘Warriors,’ dies at 75

Actor David Harris, best known for his role as “Cochise” in the 1979 cult classic “Warriors,” died Friday at the age of 75.

He died of cancer at his home in New York, said his daughter Davina Harris The New York Times..

“The Warriors,” based on Sol Yurick’s 1965 novel of the same title, tells the story of a New York gang accused of killing a rival gang leader. As a result, Cochise and his gang spend the film fighting rival gangs on a wild journey back home to Brooklyn. Harris’ character was known for her signature style, which included a turquoise necklace, red bandana, and feathers.

The Walter Hill-directed film wasn’t a critical favorite when it was released, however it has since held a very important place in American culture. The film has inspired countless other stories and filmmakers, including Chad Stahelski, director of “John Wick: Chapter 4,” People Magazine reported.

While “The Warriors” could have been Harris’ breakthrough film, his profession began in 1976 with the Emmy-nominated TV movie “Judge Horton and the Scottsboro Boys.” After “The Warriors,” he appeared in several other television roles and episodes, including “In the Heat of the Night,” “Hill Street Blues” and as Officer Simmons on “NYPD Blue.”

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Variation reported that the New York native discovered acting in school. He attended the city’s highly regarded High School of Performing Arts, where one in every of his English teachers suggested he try his hand at the theater department. “I fell in love with it,” he said in a 2022 interview “Claw’s Corner”. “I said, you know what, I think that’s my niche.”

Harris’ acting credits also include the BET revival of “The First Wives Club,” “Elementary,” “Law & Order: Special Ops” and more, though he even admitted that Cochise is his most recognizable role.

Variety also reported that in a 2019 interview Radio ADAMIHarris said, “We thought (‘Warriors’) was a short film that would pass and no one would talk about it anymore.”

“I’ve been to Hong Kong, I’ve been to the Philippines, I’ve been to Tokyo,” he continued. “I’ve made plenty of movies, but once I get off the plane, people say, ‘That’s the guy from ‘Warriors.’

According to Variety, in addition to his daughter, Harris is survived by his mother, Maude Marie Harris; his sister Jeannette C. Harris-Zwerin; brothers, Arthur A. Harris and Vincent J. Harris; and two grandchildren.