Esther Rolle
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Esther Elizabeth Rolle (November 8, 1920 – November 17, 1998) was a Bahamian American actress. Rolle is best known for her role as Florida Evans, on the CBS television sitcom Maude, for two seasons (1972–1974), and its spin-off series Good Times, for five seasons (1974–77, 1978–79), for which Rolle was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Television Series Musical or Comedy in 1976. Rolle is best known for her television role as Florida Evans, the character she played on two 1970s sitcoms. The character was introduced as Maude Findlay's housekeeper on Maude, and was spun off in the show's second season into Good Times, a show about Florida's family. Rolle was nominated in 1975 for the Best Actress in a Musical/Comedy Golden Globe Award for her role in Good Times. Rolle was 19 years older than the actor (John Amos) who played her husband James Evans. The James Evans character was only added after Esther Rolle fought hard for a father figure and husband to be added to the show. Rolle had fought for the father character on the show, more relevant themes and scripts and was unhappy when the success of Jimmie Walker's character, J.J. Evans, took the show in a frivolous direction. John Amos agreed with Rolle about Walker's character and was fired from the show after the third season ended. Later on, in a stand-off with Good Times producer Norman Lear, Rolle also quit when her contract ended. Although the show continued without her for the fifth season, she returned for the show's final season. In 1979 she won an Emmy for her role in Summer of My German Soldier, a made-for-television movie. Among her guest star roles was one on The Incredible Hulk in an episode entitled "Behind the Wheel" where she played a taxicab business owner. In the 1990s, Rolle was a surprise guest on RuPaul's VH-1 talk show. Her Maude co-star Bea Arthur was the guest, and Rolle was brought out to surprise Arthur. The two had not seen each other in years, Arthur said, and embraced warmly. Rolle also appeared in a series of psychic hotline TV commercials in the 1990s. "Tell them Esther sent you," was her trademark line.
Known For
Credits
- 2005 ·Train Rideas Dean of Students
- 1998 ·Down in the Deltaas Annie Sinclair
- 1997 ·Rosewoodas Aunt Sarah
- 1996 ·My Fellow Americansas Rita
- 1996 ·Promised Landas Mary Harding
- 1995 ·How to Make an American Quiltas Aunt Pauline
- 1995 ·Nobody's Girls: Five Women of the Westas Clara Brown
- 1994 ·Scarlettas
- 1994 ·Touched by an Angelas Mary Harding
- 1993 ·To Dance with the White Dogas Neelie
- 1993 ·Message from Namas Queenie / Elizabeth McQueen
- 1993 ·House of Cardsas Adelle
- 1992 ·Color Adjustmentas Self
- 1991 ·Cape Fearas Woman Watching Cady Get Out from Under the Car (uncredited)
- 1990 ·The Kid Who Loved Christmasas Esther Clayton
- 1990 ·Singer and Sonsas
- 1989 ·Age-Old Friendsas Mrs. Baker
- 1989 ·Driving Miss Daisyas Idella
- 1989 ·The Mighty Quinnas Ubu Pearl
- 1989 ·A Raisin in the Sunas Lena 'Mama' Younger
- 1987 ·P.K. and the Kidas Mim
- 1986 ·Ethnic Notionsas Narrator
- 1984 ·Murder, She Wroteas Margaret
- 1984 ·Finder of Lost Lovesas Nellie
- 1982 ·The New Odd Coupleas Ms. Gibbs
- 1982 ·The Tragedy of Romeo and Julietas Nurse
- 1981 ·See China and Dieas Momma Sykes
- 1981 ·Flamingo Roadas
- 1979 ·I Know Why the Caged Bird Singsas Momma
- 1978 ·Summer of My German Soldieras Ruth
- 1977 ·The Incredible Hulkas
- 1976 ·Donny & Marieas Self
- 1974 ·Good Timesas Florida Evans
- 1973 ·Cleopatra Jonesas Mrs. Johnson
- 1972 ·Don't Play Us Cheapas Miss Maybell
- 1972 ·Maudeas Florida Evans
- 1971 ·Who Says I Can't Ride a Rainbow!as Maid
- 1967 ·Up the Down Staircaseas Teacher
- 1964 ·Nothing But a Manas Church Woman
- 1951 ·Hallmark Hall of Fameas