Robert Guillaume was born on Lucas Place in 1927 and lived with his grandmother, Jeanette, without electricity or plumbing. He attended St. Nicholas Elementary School, St. Louis University and Washington University. Around 1950, Robert Guillaume opened a women’s fashion shop called The Geraldine Shoppe on Franklin between 19th and 20th. The shop folded and Guillaume entered show business. He won Emmy Awards for the role of Benson in two different series on ABC. He acted on Broadway and in movies, including The Lion King.