Ernestine Jackson

Ernestine Jackson is an African-American actress and singer.

Born in Corpus Christi, Texas, Jackson made her Broadway debut in 1967 as Irene Molloy in the all-black cast of Hello, Dolly! starring Pearl Bailey.

In 1973, Jackson originated the role of Ruth Younger in Raisin, her performance winning her the Theatre World Award and a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical. Additional Broadway credits include Applause, The Bacchae, and the 1976 all-black revival of Guys and Dolls, for which she was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical. She also appeared in the 1966 revival of Show Boat at the New York State Theater and the 1967 revival of Finian's Rainbow at New York City Center.

Jackson portrayed Alberta Hunter in Cookin' at the Cookery: The Music and Times of Alberta Hunter, a revue that originated at the Hippodrome State Theatre in Gainesville, Florida in 1997 and then played in various venues in the United States, such as the Lyceum Stage, San Diego, California in March and April 2003. Jackson appeared in the revue at the Boston University Theatre, presented by the Huntington Theatre Company, in June 2003.

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