NEW YORK — Robert Guillaume, who rose from squalid beginnings in St. Louis slums to become a star in stage musicals and win Emmy Awards for his portrayal of the sharp-tongued butler in the TV sitcoms “Soap” and “Benson,” has died at age 89.

Among Guillaume’s achievements was playing Nathan Detroit in the first all-black version of “Guys and Dolls,” earning him a Tony nomination. He became the first African-American to sing the title role of “Phantom of the Opera,” and was the voice of Rafiki in the film version of “The Lion King.”

Guillaume won a Grammy when a version of “The Lion King,” which he narrated, earned best spoken word album for children.