Theresa Merritt

Theresa Merritt
Born (1922-09-24)September 24, 1922
Emporia, Virginia, U.S.
Died June 12, 1998(1998-06-12) (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.

Career

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.

Personal life and death

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.[1]

Filmography

Film
Year Film Role Notes
1971 They Might Be Giants Peggy
1977 Proof of the Man Peggy
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
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
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
1998 NYPD Blue Bernice 1 episode
Cosby Edna Stone 1 episode

References

  1. ↑ Lyman, Rick (1998-06-21). "Theresa Merritt, 75, Praised In Role of Ma Rainey, Is Dead". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-06-10.


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