Minnie Gentry (born Minnie Lee Watson, December 2, 1915 – May 11, 1993)[1] was an American actress.
Minnie Gentry | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Minnie Lee Watson December 2, 1915 Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | May 11, 1993 (aged 77) New York City, U.S. |
| Spouse | Lloyd Gentry (1932–?) |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives | Terrence Howard (great-grandson) |
Gentry was born Minnie Lee Watson in Norfolk, Virginia, the daughter of Mincie and Taylor Watson.[1] Her family moved to Cleveland during her childhood, where she began studying piano at the age of nine, at the Phyllis Wheatley School of Music.[1] She began acting at the Friendly Inn Settlement and married Lloyd Gentry in 1932.[1] Subsequently, she appeared in many plays at the African-American theater the Karamu House.
On Broadway, Gentry performed in All God's Chillun Got Wings (1975), The Sunshine Boys (1972), Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death (1971), and Lysistrata (1946).[2] She also appeared in several films, including The Brother from Another Planet, Def by Temptation, and Jungle Fever. She portrayed Aunt Bess on the television series All My Children and Miriam George on Ryan's Hope.[3] She also appeared as Gramtee on The Cosby Show.[1]
Gentry had a daughter, Marjorie Hawkins.[4] Her great-grandson is actor Terrence Howard.[5]
On May 11, 1993, Gentry died at her home in Manhattan at age 77.[4]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Georgia, Georgia | Mrs. Alberta Anderson | |
| 1972 | Come Back, Charleston Blue | Her Majesty | |
| 1973 | Black Caesar | Momma Gibbs | |
| 1974 | Claudine | Bus Woman | Uncredited |
| 1977 | Greased Lightning | Wendell's Mother | |
| 1984 | The Brother from Another Planet | Mrs. Brown | |
| 1986 | America | Mrs. Justice | |
| 1988 | Apprentice to Murder | Mam Isobel | |
| 1990 | Cosby Show | Gramtee | |
| 1990 | Def by Temptation | Grandma | |
| 1992 | Bad Lieutenant | Elderly Woman |
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Encyclopedia of Cleveland History:GENTRY, MINNIE LEE WATSON
- ^ "Minnie Gentry". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on October 20, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
- ^ McCann, Bob (21 December 2009). Encyclopedia of African American Actresses in Film and Television. McFarland. pp. 126–127. ISBN 978-0-7864-5804-2. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
- ^ a b "Minnie Gentry, 77, An Actress on Stage And 'Cosby Show'". The New York Times. May 13, 1993. p. B 14. ProQuest 109090106. Retrieved October 20, 2020 – via ProQuest.
- ^ "Obituary: Anita Williams / Mother of actor, recruiter at Pitt". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 27 September 2008. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
External links
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