Theresa Merritt
Theresa Merritt | |
---|---|
Born | The Bronx, New York , U.S. | September 24, 1922
Occupation(s) | Actress, singer |
Years active | 1969–1998 |
Spouse |
Benjamin Hines (m. 1945) |
Children | 4 |
Theresa Merritt Hines (September 24, 1922 – June 12, 1998), known professionally as Theresa Merritt, was an American actress. She is known for her role in That's My Mama (1974–1975) and for her film roles in The Wiz (1978) and Billy Madison (1995).
Career
Born in
Merritt's other Broadway credits included Mule Bone (1991), Division Street (1980), Don't Play Us Cheap! (1972), The Crucible (1972), Trumpets of the Lord (1969), Golden Boy (1964), Tambourines to Glory (1963), and Carmen Jones (1943, 1945, 1947).[3] She also toured with road companies of Funny Girl, Show Boat, and South Pacific.[4]
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.
Personal life and death
Merritt was married to Benjamin Hines, and they had four children. During the 34th National Convention of
Merritt died of skin cancer on June 12, 1998, in the New York City borough of The Bronx.[5]
Filmography
Film | |||
---|---|---|---|
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
1971 | They Might Be Giants | Peggy | |
1977 | Proof of the Man | Maria | |
The Goodbye Girl | Mrs. Crosby | ||
1978 | The Wiz | Aunt Em | |
1979 | The Great Santini | Arrabella Smalls | Alternative titles: The Ace The Gift of Fury |
All That Jazz | Cast of NY / LA #4 | ||
1982 | The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas | Jewel | |
1988 | Astonished | Ida | |
The Serpent and the Rainbow | Simone | ||
1989 | Zwei Frauen
|
Nurse Wilson | Alternative title: Silence Like Glass |
1991 | Voodoo Dawn | Madame Daslay | Alternative title: Strange Turf |
1995 | Billy Madison | Juanita | |
1998 | Dangerous Proposition | Grace | |
Home Fries | Mrs. Vaughan | Final film role released posthumously | |
Television | |||
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
1969 | J.T. | Mama Meley | Television movie |
1973 | The Furst Family of Washington | Eloise "Mama" Furst | Television movie |
1974–1975 | That's My Mama | Eloise "Mama" Curtis | 39 episodes |
1975 | Police Story | Mrs. Johnson | 1 episode |
1980 | NBC Special Treat | 1 episode | |
1983 | The Love Boat | Faye Pillips | 1 episode |
1984 | Concealed Enemies | Clytie Catlett | Television movie |
1988 | Miracle at Beekman's Place | Sarag Coleman | Television movie |
1997 | Law & Order | Ruth Titus | 1 episode |
1997 | Sesame Street | Grandma Sarah | 1 episode |
1998 | NYPD Blue | Bernice | 1 episode |
Cosby | Edna Stone | 1 episode |
Awards and nominations
Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1985 | Tony Award | Best Featured Actress in a Play | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated | [5] |
References
- ^ "("Theresa Merritt" search results)". Tony Awards. Tony Award Productions. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
- ISBN 978-0-7864-6477-7.
- ^ "Theresa Merritt". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on June 4, 2019. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
- ^ "Theresa Merritt". Variety. June 22, 1998. Archived from the original on June 4, 2019. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
- ^ a b Lyman, Rick (June 21, 1998). "Theresa Merritt, 75, Praised In Role of Ma Rainey, Is Dead". The New York Times. Retrieved June 10, 2009.