Esther Rolle
| Esther Rolle | |
|---|---|
Rolle on the set of Good Times, 1974.
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| Born |
Esther Elizabeth Rolle November 8, 1920 new york, U.S. |
| Died | November 17, 1998 (aged 78) Culver City, California, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Diabetes |
| Resting place | Westview Community Cemetery, [new york ]] |
| Nationality | American |
| Education |
Blanche Ely High School Spelman College (attended) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1964–1998 |
| Known for | Florida Evans – Good Times |
| Spouse(s) | Oscar Robinson (m. 1955; div. 1975) |
| Children | Sherley Mae Robinson (step–daughter) |
| Parent(s) | Jonathan Rolle Elizabeth Rolle |
| Relatives |
Estelle Evans (sister) Rosanna Carter (sister) |
| Awards | 1979 Primetime Emmy Award: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or a Special Summer of My German Soldier |
Esther Elizabeth Rolle (November 8, 1920 – November 17, 1998) was an American actress. Rolle is best known for her role as Florida Evans, on the CBS television sitcom Maude for two seasons (1972–1974) and its spin-off series Good Times for five seasons (1974–77, 1978–79) for which Rolle was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Television Series Musical or Comedy in 1976.
Esther Rolle was born in Pompano Beach, Florida, to Bahamian immigrants Jonathan Rolle (1883–1953), a farmer, and Elizabeth Iris Rolle (née Dames; 1893–1981). Her parents were both born and raised in Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas and moved to Florida some time after their marriage. She was the tenth of 18 children (children who included siblings and fellow actresses Estelle Evans and Rosanna Carter). Rolle graduated from Blanche Ely High School in Pompano Beach, Florida. She initially studied at Spelman College in Atlanta, but she moved to New York City. While in New York, she attended Hunter College. Rolle transferred to The New School and, finally, Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut." For many years, Rolle worked in a traditional day job in New York City's garment district.
Rolle was a member of Asadata Dafora's dance troupe, Shogolo Oloba (later renamed the Federal Theater African Dance Troupe). She became the troupe’s director in 1960. Rolle's earliest roles were on the stage; her New York stage debut was in the 1962 play The Blacks. She was often cast in plays produced by Robert Hooks and the Negro Ensemble Company. She also appeared in productions of The Crucible and Blues for Mr. Charlie. Rolle's most prominent early role was as Miss Maybell in the 1973 Melvin Van Peebles play, Don't Play Us Cheap. In 1977, Rolle portrayed Lady Macbeth in Orson Welles' Haitian-influenced version at the Henry Street New Federal Theater in Manhattan.
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