Theresa Merritt
| Theresa Merritt | |
|---|---|
| Born |
September 24, 1922 Emporia, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | June 12, 1998 (aged 75) The Bronx, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress/Singer |
| Years active | 1969–1998 |
| Spouse(s) | Benjamin Hines (1945–1998) (her death) 4 children |
Theresa Merritt Hines (September 24, 1922 – June 12, 1998) was an American stage, film, and television actress and singer.
Born in Emporia, Virginia, Merritt appeared in many theatrical productions but gained fame later in life when she starred in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, for which she earned a Tony Award nomination, and The Wiz, in which she replaced Mabel King as Evelline. She left The Wiz, citing the role's harmful effect on her voice. She then starred in the television sitcom That's My Mama.
Her most notable film roles were Aunt Em in the 1978 film version of The Wiz, Mrs. Crosby in the 1977 film adaptation of Neil Simon's The Goodbye Girl, and Juanita in the Adam Sandler comedy Billy Madison. She also appeared alongside Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton in the film adaptation of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
Merritt was married to Benjamin Hines and they had four children. During Delta Sigma Theta 34th National convention Merritt and E. Fannie Granton of Jet magazine were made honorary members of the sorority. Merritt died of skin cancer on June 12, 1998, in The Bronx.
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