Esther Rolle

Nationality:
American
Birthdate:
11/08/1920
Birthplace:
Pompano Beach, Florida
Death Date:
11/17/1998
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Lauren and Heidi of MTV's "The Hills"
Jeff Lipsky/MTV

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biography
The tenth of 18 children born to Bahamian immigrants, Esther Rolle danced in her early years and played in numerous stage productions and small roles in films before being "discovered" in middle age by TV producer Norman Lear and turned into a TV star playing Florida Evans, the maid, on "Maude" (CBS, 1972-74), and Florida Evans, the projects mother, on "Good Times" (CBS, 1974-77, 1978-79).

Rolle was actually born in Florida, but studied at Spelman College in Atlanta, the New School for Social Research and Hunter College in New York. She broke into show business as a dancer with the Shogola Continued

Credits
Annie
1998
Aunt Sarah
1997
Ubu Pearl
Miss Maybell
milestones
Year
Milestone
 
Dancer with Shogola Obola Dance Co.
1962 
Made Off-Broadway debut in "The Blacks"
1963 
Had early film role in "To Kill a Mockingbird"
1967 
Founding member of Negro Ensemble Company
1969 
Made London stage debut, "God Is a (Guess What?)"
Continued