David Dominic Harris, known for his memorable role as Cochise in the 1979 film “The Warriors,” passed away on October 25, 2024. He was 75 and succumbed to cancer at his residence in New York City, as confirmed by his daughter, Davina Harris.
Despite initial mixed reviews, Harris’ portrayal of the uniquely styled gang member in Walter Hill’s “The Warriors” eventually gained cult status. Today, the film boasts an 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Born in 1949 in New York City, Harris developed a love for acting while attending the High School of Performing Arts. In a 2022 interview with “The Claw’s Corner,” he reminisced about his early career, saying, “I fell in love with it. I said you know what, I think this is my niche.”
Harris’ big break arrived with the 1976 Emmy-nominated TV movie “Judge Horton and the Scottsboro Boys,” where he portrayed Haywood Patterson. Prior to his iconic role in “The Warriors,” Harris performed in “Secret Service,” a 1977 stage production featuring Meryl Streep and John Lithgow.
Harris discussed the enduring influence of “The Warriors” in a 2019 radio interview. He noted, “It wasn’t a typical gang movie. It was futuristic. It was like ‘The Seven Samurai’… It was based on a Greek army that was caught behind enemy lines, and they had to fight their way back all night to get back to their own line — it’s a true story.”
Over four decades, Harris’ career spanned multiple film and television roles. His filmography includes “Brubaker” (1980), “A Soldier’s Story” (1984), “Purple Hearts” (1984), “Quicksilver” (1986), “Fatal Beauty” (1987), and “James White” (2015), his last film appearance. On television, he appeared on “MacGyver,” “Hill Street Blues,” “Heat of the Night,” “Law & Order,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “NYPD Blue,” “ER,” and “Profiler.”
Harris is survived by his mother Maude Marie, three siblings, and two grandchildren.
