Esther Rolle

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Esther Elizabeth Rolle (November 8, 1920 - November 17, 1998) is an American Bahamian actress. Rolle is best known for his role as Florida Evans, on CBS Maude's television sitcom, for two seasons (1972-1974), and his Good Times spin-off series, for five seasons (1974 -77, 1978-79), in which Rolle was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - a Musical or Comedy Television Series in 1976.

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Esther Rolle was born in Pompano Beach, Florida, to Bahamian immigrants Jonathan Rolle (1883-1953), a farmer, and Elizabeth Iris Rolle (nÃƒÆ' Ã‚ Â© e Dames; 1893-1981). Both parents were born and raised in Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas and moved to Florida sometime after their marriage. She is the tenth of 18 children (children including siblings and fellow actress Estelle Evans and Rosanna Carter). Rolle graduated from Blanche Ely High School in Pompano Beach, Florida. He initially studied at Spelman College in Atlanta, before moving to New York City. While in New York, he studied at Hunter College before moving to The New School and then Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. For years, Rolle worked at a traditional day job in the New York City garment district.

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Careers

Dance and theater

Rolle is a member of Asadata Dafora dance troupe, Shogolo Oloba (later renamed African African Theater Dance). He became the director of the entourage in 1960. Rolle's earliest role was on stage; His stage debut in New York was in 1962 playing The Blacks . He often plays a role in dramas produced by Robert Hooks and the Negro Ensemble Company. He also appeared in the production of The Crucible and Blues for Mr. Charlie . Rolle's most prominent role was Miss Maybell in 1973 Melvin Van Peebles, Do not Play Us Cheap . In 1977, Rolle described Lady Macbeth in the Haitian-influenced version of Orson Welles at Henry Street's New Federal Theater in Manhattan.

Television

Rolle is best known for his television role as Florida Evans, a character he plays in two 1970s sitcoms. The character was introduced as Maude Findlay's housekeeper at Maude , and spun the second season of the show to the Good Times, an event about the Florida family. Rolle was nominated in 1975 for Best Actress in the Golden Globe Music/Comedy Award for her role at the Good Times. Rolle is 19 years older than actor (John Amos) who plays her husband, James Evans. James Evans's character was only added after Esther Rolle fought hard for a father and husband figure to be added to the show. Rolle has fought for the father's character on the show, more relevant themes and scripts and is not happy when Jimmie Walker's character, J.J. Evans, took his show in a reckless way. John Amos agreed with Rolle about the Walker character and was fired from the show after the third season ended. Then, in an impasse with Goodman producer Norman Lear, Rolle also quit when his contract expires. Although the show continued without him for the fifth season, he returned for the final season of the event. In 1979 he won an Emmy for his role in Summer of My German Soldier, a film made for television.

Among his star guest roles is one in The Incredible Hulk in an episode titled "Behind the Wheel" where he plays the business owner of a taxi. In the 1990s, Rolle was a surprise guest on the RuPaul VH-1 talk show. The guest star is Maude, Bea Arthur is a guest, and Rolle is taken out to surprise Arthur. The two had not seen each other for years, Arthur said, and hugged warmly. Rolle also appeared in a series of hotline psychic TV ads in the 1990s. "Tell them Esther sent you," is his typical line.

Music and movies

Rolle released a music album titled The Garden of My Mind in 1975. Rolle's first screen appearance was an unrecognized minor role in To Kill a Mockingbird (1962), and he then appeared in Gordon Parks' The Learning Tree (1969). Her sister, actress Estelle Evans, appeared in both films as well. Esther Rolle appeared early in the film, Nothing But a Man (1964). After the Good Times ended, she appeared in films and movies made for television shows, including Driving Miss Daisy and My American Fellow . A memorable role is the role of Aunt Sarah in the movie Rosewood (1997). She has a major role in Knowing Why Singing Birds based on Maya Angelou memoirs of the same name, and having the distinction after winning the first Emmy Award for the Superb Supporting Actress category in Serial Mini or Movie, in 1979 , for her work on the Summer of My German Soldier movie. She is also credited for her role in the film, The Mighty Quinn (1989), starring Denzel Washington and Sheryl Lee Ralph, and featuring Robert Townsend. His final film, Train Ride was released in 2000 despite being filmed in 1998.

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Personal life

The only marriage to Rolle is with Oscar Robinson. Both married from 1955-1975. They have no children, but Oscar Robinson has a daughter, Sherley Mae Robinson, (born 1936), by her first marriage.

Esther Rolle insisted on having a husband on âGood Times.â - YouTube

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Death

Rolle died on November 17, 1998 in Culver City, California, due to complications of diabetes, nine days after his 78th birthday. Her body was flown back to her hometown of Pompano Beach, Florida. A devout member of the African Episcopal Methodist Church, Rolle requested that his funeral be held at Bethel African Episcopal Methodist Church.