Famous Faces on "That's My Mama" (Season One)
Welcome to "Oscar's Barbershop"! Recently inheirted by Oscar's son Clifton. Clifton's got it made--a successful business, luck with the ladies- but he still lives with Mama! She rules the roost and dispenses advice to everyone who'll listen (and some who won't)
Clifton's sister Tracy, brother-in-law Leonard, friends Earl & Junior, barbershop regulars Wildcat & Josh-- no one is spared from Mama's wisdom. And they wouldn't have it any other way.
These are some of the stars I recognized who stopped by "Oscar's Barbershop" for some cool conversation and sometimes mischief...
Clifton's sister Tracy, brother-in-law Leonard, friends Earl & Junior, barbershop regulars Wildcat & Josh-- no one is spared from Mama's wisdom. And they wouldn't have it any other way.
These are some of the stars I recognized who stopped by "Oscar's Barbershop" for some cool conversation and sometimes mischief...
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- Jeannie Bell was born on 23 November 1943 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. She is an actress, known for Mean Streets (1973), TNT Jackson (1974) and Policewomen (1974). She was previously married to Gary Judis.That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 6
Clifton's Big Move (9 Oct. 1974)
"Ginger" - William Elliott was born on 4 June 1934 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. He was an actor, known for Bridget Loves Bernie (1972), Coffy (1973) and Night of the Lepus (1972). He was married to Dionne Warwick. He died on 30 September 1983 in Los Angeles, California, USA.That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 4
Cousin Albert (25 Sep. 1974)
"Albert" - Actor
- Director
- Producer
The burly character actor Gordon Jump will probably be best remembered for the role of the radio station manager Arthur Carlson in the TV sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati (1978). This is coincidental since, in the first part of his working life, he was found either behind a microphone or camera in stints with radio and TV stations in the Midwest, including producing jobs at stations in Kansas and Ohio.
Moving to Los Angeles in 1963, he quickly became involved in stage productions with Nathan Hale and Ruth Hale, a couple who had opened a small theater in Glendale, California, several years earlier, in order to make ends meet. The Hales preferred the stage to film, and they abandoned Hollywood film hopes when their theater was successful. Others developing their acting talents with the Hales included Mike Farrell and Connie Stevens. Jump always credited Ruth Hale for the real start of his career as an actor, and it has been said that Jump remained most passionate about acting in live theater.
He soon started appearing in numerous TV series, including Daniel Boone (1964), Get Smart (1965), and Green Acres (1965). Through his association with the Hale clan, he became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which led to appearances in educational and religious short films produced and directed by Judge Whitaker at Brigham Young University in the 1960s. He played a Mormon bishop in "You Make the Difference", a thoughtful husband in Marriage: What Kind for You? (1967), and even the Apostle Peter in Mormon Temple Film (1969). Ruth was instrumental in getting Jump to give up smoking, and she also admonished him to turn down offers to do beer commercials. To the end of his life, he took his membership in his faith seriously, including its health codes. He also was in other LDS church films including When Thou Art Converted 1967, What about Thad? 1969, The Guilty 1978 and Families are Forever 1982.
Gordon remained predominantly a television actor throughout a long career in the arts, but he did appear in some small parts in feature films such as Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972). He also had a cameo appearance in The Singles Ward (2002), a comedy involving young Latter-Day Saint cultural experiences, which was written and directed by Kurt Hale, the grandson of Ruth and Nathan.
Beyond his acting career, Gordon produced The Tony Randall Show (1976) and directed an episode of WKRP in Cincinnati (1978). In the last years of his life, he was readily recognizable as the lonely Maytag Washer repairman in commercials that ran on television for several years starting in 1989. He effectively portrayed Ol' Lonely until retiring from the role just before his death. (The repairman was lonely because the machines never broke down.) As is often the case for actors with a flair for comedy, he was also adept at playing dramatic roles. As is also often the case with character actors, his face is recognizable to many who never knew his name."Officer O'Reilley"
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 4
Cousin Albert (25 Sep. 1974)- Actor
- Producer
- Writer
Gaining fame on TV first, he was born Timothy Lee Reid on December 19, 1944, in Norfolk and raised in Chesapeake, Virginia. Coming from a troubled, impoverished childhood, he straightened out his life enough to attend Norfolk State College (now University) and graduate with a business administration degree. Married to wife Rita, whom he met at college, the couple went on to have two children, Tim Reid II and Tori Reid, both involved in the entertainment field.
Tim worked for Du Pont Chemicals in Chicago for a period of time in the late 60s. His first taste of the limelight came around the turn of the 70s when he met an insurance agent named Tom Dreesen, and the two decided to form a comedy nightclub act called "Tim and Tom". At this juncture, Tim decided to focus completely on acting, took up drama classes, and worked as a comic. TV and commercial work started coming his way, finding regular placements on a number of variety series that starred Frankie Avalon, The 5th Dimension singers Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr., and Richard Pryor in the late 70s.
Making early appearances on such TV shows as "That's My Mama," "Rhoda," "Fernwood Tonite," "Lou Grant," "What's Happening" and "Maude," Tim received his star-making break after nabbing the cool and very hip role of "Venus Flytrap" on TV's WKRP in Cincinnati (1978). It is this radio disc jockey character for which Tim is still best known. Other TV series came his way, including his regular teacher role in the Lynn Redgrave sitcom Teachers Only (1982) and as Lt. Marcel "Downtown" Brown on Simon & Simon (1981)
Now firmly established, Tim started taking more control over his career. He went on to front the series Frank's Place (1987) in which he also executive-produced, received an Emmy nomination, and co-starred with his second wife Daphne Reid before playing a criminology professor in the comedy Snoops (1989), which also co-starred Daphne as his wife, and the more popular Sister, Sister (1994), wherein he starred alongside Jackée Harry as an adopted dad of identical twins Tia Mowry and Tamera Mowry-Housley.
Tim and Daphne went to to co-founded their own production studio (New Millennium Studios), the first ever built in his native state of Virginia. The short-lived program Linc's (1998), starring both Tim and Daphne, was the first to come out of the studio. Over the years, Daphne has been a frequent partner to Tim both in front and behind the camera lens, as actress and co-producer. Together they appeared in the TV movie Alley Cats Strike (2000) and the films Troop 491: the Adventures of the Muddy Lions (2013) and By the Grace of Bob (2016).
Toning down his slick facade over the years, the handsome, mustachioed actor has dedicated himself to films and other projects that have raised social issues as well as increase black awareness. He directed and starred in a hip-hop update of the Pygmalion story with the comedy For Real (2003), which was made at his studio (Daphne was executive producer). With Tim in the "Henry Higgins" role, the film opened the fifth anniversary of the Hollywood Black Film Festival.
In addition to recurring roles on Treme (2010) and That '70s Show (1998) and guest appearances on such shows as "Touched by an Angel," "That's So Raven," "The Soul Man," "Limitless," "Grey's Anatomy" and "My, Myself and I," Tim has graced such films as Trade (2007), The Cost of Heaven (2010), Tri (2016) and 93 Days (2016).That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 10
Clifton's Persuasion (6 Nov. 1974)
"Rev. Armbruster"- Berlinda Tolbert was born on 4 November 1949 in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. She is an actress, known for Goodfellas (1990), Patriot Games (1992) and Harlem Nights (1989). She has been married to Bob Reid since 14 February 1979.That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 3
Clifton's Dubious Romance (18 Sep. 1974)
"Polly Carstairs" - Actor
- Composer
- Producer
Clifton Davis was born on October 4, 1945, in Chicago. His career spans forty years. He is a minister and songwriter as well as an actor. He performed as a student at Pine Forge Academy in Pennsylvania (from which he graduated in 1963) as a singer and as an orator, and those performances accustomed him to appearing in front of an audience. He and a classmate composed the class song.
At the age of twenty-one, while working as a video engineer at ABC Television, Davis saw his first-ever Broadway show--"Apple Tree," which starred Alan Alda. Davis was astounded by its humor and realism and says that is when he knew he wanted to be a performer. Within a few months he had quit his full-time job and auditioned for and won a part in the Broadway production of "Hello Dolly." He won a Tony nomination for his role in the Broadway show "Two Gentleman of Verona." Renee Valente saw his performance in that show, and two years later cast Davis as the star of the show "That's My Mama," launching his television career.
Davis's songwriting was encouraged by Gloria Jones and Judd Walden. His song "Never Can Say Goodbye" proved to be a major hit for the Jackson Five. In the late 1970s, his career slowed and he dabbled in drugs before experiencing a spiritual rebirth. In 1981, he left Hollywood for approximately five years while he acquired a bachelor's degree in theology and a master's degree in divinity and became a licensed minister. Not long after completing his second degree, he won the part of the minister in the sitcom "Amen."
Since 1991, Clifton Davis has guest-starred on several sitcoms, hosted many award shows, appeared in several films and hosted a show on TBN. In 2011, Davis returned to his theater roots, appearing in "What My Husband Doesn't Know", the Broadway Tour of "Wicked" and appeared on Broadway as Sultan in Disney's "Aladdin". He is also a motivational speaker who enjoys helping others and bringing hope and prosperity into their lives."Clifton Curtis"
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 1
Whose Child Is This? (4 Sep. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 2
Honesty Day (11 Sep. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 3
Clifton's Dubious Romance (18 Sep. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 4
Cousin Albert (25 Sep. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 5
Clifton's Sugar Mama (2 Oct. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 6
Clifton's Big Move (9 Oct. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 7
Mama Steps Out (16 Oct. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 8
The Loan (23 Oct. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 9
Clifton's Con (30 Oct. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 10
Clifton's Persuasion (6 Nov. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 11
Oscar's Affair (13 Nov. 1974)- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Ted Lange is a graduate of London's Royal Academy with a career as a prolific director, writer, and actor since the 1980's. This classical background as well as his years before the camera have enabled him to become known as an actor's director inspiring not only emotional but also comedic scenes.
His four-camera directing expertise includes sixty episodes for Entertainment Studios', The First Family and Mr. Box Office, and twelve episodes of Are We There Yet?, for Executive Producer, Ali Leroi.
His one-camera directing experience is showcased in the independent films, Othello and For Love of Amy as well as the one-camera television comedies, The New Gidget and The Brothers Garcia for Universal.
The Fall Guy and Mike Hammer exemplify his directorial work in action shows."Junior"
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 1
Whose Child Is This? (4 Sep. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 2
Honesty Day (11 Sep. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 3
Clifton's Dubious Romance (18 Sep. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 4
Cousin Albert (25 Sep. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 5
Clifton's Sugar Mama (2 Oct. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 6
Clifton's Big Move (9 Oct. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 7
Mama Steps Out (16 Oct. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 8
The Loan (23 Oct. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 9
Clifton's Con (30 Oct. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 10
Clifton's Persuasion (6 Nov. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 11
Oscar's Affair (13 Nov. 1974)- Actress
- Soundtrack
Theresa Merritt was born on 24 September 1922 in Newport News, Virginia, USA. She was an actress, known for Billy Madison (1995), The Wiz (1978) and The Goodbye Girl (1977). She was married to Benjamin Hines. She died on 12 June 1998 in The Bronx, New York, USA."Eloise 'Mama' Curtis"
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 1
Whose Child Is This? (4 Sep. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 2
Honesty Day (11 Sep. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 3
Clifton's Dubious Romance (18 Sep. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 4
Cousin Albert (25 Sep. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 5
Clifton's Sugar Mama (2 Oct. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 6
Clifton's Big Move (9 Oct. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 7
Mama Steps Out (16 Oct. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 8
The Loan (23 Oct. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 9
Clifton's Con (30 Oct. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 10
Clifton's Persuasion (6 Nov. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 11
Oscar's Affair (13 Nov. 1974)- Actor
- Production Manager
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
DeForest Covan was born on 9 September 1917 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He was an actor and production manager, known for Rocky (1976), Sanford and Son (1972) and The Bus Is Coming (1971). He died on 8 September 2007 in Los Angeles, California, USA."Josh"
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 1
Whose Child Is This? (4 Sep. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 2
Honesty Day (11 Sep. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 3
Clifton's Dubious Romance (18 Sep. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 4
Cousin Albert (25 Sep. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 5
Clifton's Sugar Mama (2 Oct. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 8
The Loan (23 Oct. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 10
Clifton's Persuasion (6 Nov. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 11
Oscar's Affair (13 Nov. 1974)- Actor
- Music Department
- Writer
Composer, songwriter, conductor, singer, and actor Jester Hairston was educated at Tufts University, Juilliard, and the University of the Pacific (hon. Mus.D.). He acted on radio and television besides on film, and played Leroy on the "Amos 'n Andy" radio series for 15 years. He directed the Federal Theatre Project and was assistant- conductor of the 'Hall Johnson Choir' in New York for 15 years and trained choirs for radio and Broadway musicals. He went to Hollywood in 1936, he sang and appeared with the Hall Johnson Choir in the film The Green Pastures (1936). Organizing his own choir in 1943, he arranged and conducted film background music and conducted choral groups in colleges and high schools, touring Europe for the State Department in 1961. He joined ASCAP in 1956 and wrote such popular-song compositions as "Mary's Boy Child," "Poor Man Lazarus," and many Gospel songs including "In Dat Great Gittin'-Up Mornin'," "Amen," and "Gossip, Gossip.""Wildcat"
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 1
Whose Child Is This? (4 Sep. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 2
Honesty Day (11 Sep. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 3
Clifton's Dubious Romance (18 Sep. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 4
Cousin Albert (25 Sep. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 5
Clifton's Sugar Mama (2 Oct. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 8
The Loan (23 Oct. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 10
Clifton's Persuasion (6 Nov. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 11
Oscar's Affair (13 Nov. 1974)- Lynne Moody was born on 17 February 1946 in Detroit, Michigan, USA. She is an actress, known for Knots Landing (1979), Magnum, P.I. (1980) and General Hospital (1963)."Tracy Curtis Taylor"
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 1
Whose Child Is This? (4 Sep. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 2
Honesty Day (11 Sep. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 3
Clifton's Dubious Romance (18 Sep. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 4
Cousin Albert (25 Sep. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 5
Clifton's Sugar Mama (2 Oct. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 6
Clifton's Big Move (9 Oct. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 7
Mama Steps Out (16 Oct. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 8
The Loan (23 Oct. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 9
Clifton's Con (30 Oct. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 10
Clifton's Persuasion (6 Nov. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 11
Oscar's Affair (13 Nov. 1974) - Actor
- Writer
- Additional Crew
Lisle Wilson was born on 2 September 1943 in Brooklyn, New York, USA. He was an actor and writer, known for The Incredible Melting Man (1977), Falcon Crest (1981) and Sisters (1972). He was married to Barbara Collins. He died on 14 March 2010 in Rancho Mirage, California, USA."Leonard Taylor"
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 2
Honesty Day (11 Sep. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 3
Clifton's Dubious Romance (18 Sep. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 4
Cousin Albert (25 Sep. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 5
Clifton's Sugar Mama (2 Oct. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 6
Clifton's Big Move (9 Oct. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 8
The Loan (23 Oct. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 9
Clifton's Con (30 Oct. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 10
Clifton's Persuasion (6 Nov. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 11
Oscar's Affair (13 Nov. 1974)- Actor
- Writer
- Soundtrack
Teddy Wilson was born on 10 December 1943 in New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor and writer, known for Good Times (1974), Blood In, Blood Out (1993) and Life Stinks (1991). He was married to Joan Pringle. He died on 21 July 1991 in Los Angeles, California, USA."Earl Chambers"
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 1
Whose Child Is This? (4 Sep. 1974)
"Andrew Carruthers"
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 3
Clifton's Dubious Romance (18 Sep. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 4
Cousin Albert (25 Sep. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 5
Clifton's Sugar Mama (2 Oct. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 6
Clifton's Big Move (9 Oct. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 7
Mama Steps Out (16 Oct. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 8
The Loan (23 Oct. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 9
Clifton's Con (30 Oct. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 10
Clifton's Persuasion (6 Nov. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 11
Oscar's Affair (13 Nov. 1974)- Writer
- Producer
- Additional Crew
Ilunga Adell was born on 27 November 1948 in the USA. He is a writer and producer, known for Sanford and Son (1972), City Guys (1997) and My Brother and Me (1994).That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 2
Honesty Day (11 Sep. 1974)
"Leonard Taylor"- Fuddle Bagley was born on 17 June 1931. He was an actor, known for Darktown Strutters (1975), The Bionic Woman (1976) and J.D.'s Revenge (1976). He died on 15 May 2018.That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 2
Honesty Day (11 Sep. 1974)
"Customer" - Ed Bernard was born on 4 July 1939 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. He is an actor, known for Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993), Blue Thunder (1983) and JAG (1995).That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 1
Whose Child Is This? (4 Sep. 1974)
"Earl Carruthers"
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 2
Honesty Day (11 Sep. 1974)
"Earl Carruthers" - Rod Gist was born on 11 November 1947 in Indiana, USA. He was an actor, known for The Lady in Red (1979), Hunter (1984) and Cutter's Way (1981). He died on 29 September 1991 in Los Angeles County, California, USA.That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 9
Clifton's Con (30 Oct. 1974)
"Floyd" - Actress
- Soundtrack
Kim Hamilton was born on 12 September 1932 in Los Angeles, California, USA. She was an actress, known for Guiding Light (1952), Body and Soul (1981) and Checkmate (1960). She was married to Werner Klemperer and Robert Henry Hamilton. She died on 16 September 2013 in Los Angeles, California, USA.That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 5
Clifton's Sugar Mama (2 Oct. 1974)
"Melvina"- Hilda Haynes was born on 21 May 1912 in New York City, New York, USA. She was an actress, known for Time After Time (1979), Across 110th Street (1972) and The Boy in the Plastic Bubble (1976). She died on 4 March 1986 in New York City, New York, USA.That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 11
Oscar's Affair (13 Nov. 1974)
Lenore Wilton - Charles Lampkin was born on 17 March 1913 in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. He was an actor, known for Cocoon (1985), That Girl (1966) and Ben Casey (1961). He was married to Myrtle L. Caldwell. He died on 17 April 1989 in San Jose, California, USA.That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 7
Mama Steps Out (16 Oct. 1974)
"Will Harrington" - A comedic mainstay on several sitcoms of the 1970s, she is best remembered for making a career out of playing wisecracking maids, neighbors, friends, nurses, and church ladies. The daughter of a Presbyterian minister, her childhood was spent on the Bible Belt where she appeared singing and acting in several religious themed productions. During World War II, she worked as a typist and secretary in a steel factory while appearing in amateur theatre by nights and weekends. In the late 1950s, she moved to California and worked as a TV commercial and magazine model appearing in several advertisements for well known brand names.
In the early 1970s, she finally got her big break and made her film debut in an episode of The Bill Cosby Show. Quickly she became a regular supporting player on several well known TV shows of the 1970s and 1980s while squeezing in an occasional film appearance or two. In 1987, she passed away from undisclosed causes and two films she was making at the time, Moving and Wildfire, were released posthumously. She was 62 years old."Ruby Lester"
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 7
Mama Steps Out (16 Oct. 1974)
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 11
Oscar's Affair (13 Nov. 1974) - Paulene Myers was born on 9 November 1913 in Ocilla, Georgia, USA. She was an actress, known for My Cousin Vinny (1992), The Sting (1973) and Playhouse 90 (1956). She died on 8 December 1996 in Chester, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, USA.That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 3
Clifton's Dubious Romance (18 Sep. 1974)
"Mrs. Carstairs" (as Pauline Myers) - "Daily Variety", many publications and critics called Judy Pace one of the most beautiful women to ever appear on screen. In the 1970s she was the personification of black beauty, but restricting her to just being a "black" beauty is a slap in the face because she's a beauty, period. Most importantly, however, she was a fine actress. She became a familiar face in the 1970s on the big and little screens, appearing in the most popular blaxploitation movies and popular television shows like Batman (1966), Bewitched (1964), The Flying Nun (1967), I Spy (1965), The Young Lawyers (1969), Mod Squad (1968), Brian's Song (1971), That's My Mama (1974), Sanford and Son (1972) and What's Happening!! (1976), among others. Her presence was always welcoming, warm, sexy but innocent. She was truly graceful and a vision of loveliness. But don't make the mistake of knowing her for just beauty. She was truly a grand actress. Her dark-brown complexion is always mentioned because she was the first dark-complected beauty on-screen. She proved to whites and blacks alike that beauty doesn't discriminate and a woman with dark skin can be a beauty, too.
Judy Pace was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She came from a humble upbringing. After graduating from high school, she attended Los Angeles City College, where she majored in sociology. Always striking, she was taught modeling by her sister, then got an offer to join the prestigious Ebony Fashion Fair; she auditioned and became the youngest model for the show. Modeling was something new and adventurous for Judy. She went on to model in many leading publications that catered to both black and white audiences. Judy had no aspirations to be a movie or TV star until director William Castle saw her pictures in "Ebony" magazine and chose her for a part in his film, 13 Frightened Girls (1963). She received favorable reviews and showed great potential as an actress. She realized that she was meant to be an actress so she began taking acting classes and performing in L.A. theater. Small parts on television and films started coming her way, leading to bigger and better roles, such as Three in the Attic (1968), in which she played one of three femme fatales who band together to turn the tables on a white gigolo by loving him to death. This film was one of Hollywood's first interracial love/sex movies. Judy played her part so daringly, enticingly and erotically that you forgot her race and color and were hypnotized by her powerful aura.
Judy had nothing but success from then on. After losing out to Diahann Carroll for the lead role in Julia (1968) that seemed meant for her, Judy found TV success in the nighttime soap opera Peyton Place (1964). She played "Vickie Fletcher", television's first black female antagonist. Judy was excellent as the manipulative, lying, cheating, backstabber who ruins the life of everyone who crosses her path. When the series was canceled, others found it hard to find work but Judy didn't. She was given the lead in a made-for-TV movie called The Young Lawyers (1969). Judy played one of three young lawyers who took on cases dealing with the poor and oppressed. The film would later be turned into a weekly series, with Judy reprising her role.
The 1970s was the start of a new, exciting, experimental era that'll never be seen again. It was the era of black power and black beauty. Judy, more than anyone, exemplified that era of thinking. She was black and beautiful, truly. She was the "new" black woman--confident, strong, sweet, sexy, vivacious and beautiful. She was referred to as "The Black Babydoll" or "The Black Barbie" because she looked just like a perfect doll.
Judy became the ultimate favorite of the 1970s on the big and little screens. She was one of many gorgeous black leading ladies of blaxploitation films of the 1970s. Cotton Comes to Harlem (1970) was her big break and the film was the start of the blaxploitation era. It was about a black leader who plans to steal poor blacks' money with a bogus "back to Africa" movement, basically a remake of The Black King (1932). It was an all-star cast, with Godfrey Cambridge, Raymond St. Jacques, Redd Foxx, Cleavon Little and Calvin Lockhart, directed by the legendary Ossie Davis.
She never acted "black" or "white", she simply just acted and her portrayals were moving to anyone watching her; she made you become deeply involved in her roles. Even as a bad lady, she made you hate her but love her a little. Judy was a natural, versatile actress; she could play the sweet, innocent girl next door or an evil femme fatale. She could also play the "dumb" beauty and make it believable. She made you understand her and have a little heart for her. That's an actress! No one else of the screen of her time was so versatile; other black actresses were monotonous.
"Cotton Comes to Harlem" should have made Judy an iconic blaxploitation movie star, as it did the black male actors, but it didn't. Pam Grier was the only black female to enjoy major success in blaxploitation films. Perhaps Judy was too much of a lady for blaxploitation, though. There was no sign of stopping for her. Roles followed in movies and TV. She had guest appearances on such hit shows as Sanford and Son (1972), Good Times (1974), That's My Mama (1974) and What's Happening!! (1976), where she had significant parts and left a lasting impression on viewers. She always was the most popular TV guest star. Judy was in her 30s during the 1970s, which was her prime, but she still flaunted youthful beauty and zest.
Judy Pace went on to conquer the stage. She was in the well-acclaimed Las Vegas production of "Guys and Dolls" that had a successful run. It was a black version, in which she played "Adelaide". Judy's first marriage was to actor Don Mitchell, who had success on Ironside (1967). She had two children from that union and, later, she married baseball legend Curt Flood. Since Flood's death in 1997, Judy has been a major spokesperson for her husband's role in establishing free agency in professional sports. Judy is also the founder and supporter of the Kwanzaa Foundation with "Star Trek" legend, Nichelle Nichols. Judy's sister, singer Jean Pace, was married to music legend Oscar Brown Jr..
Throughout her career Judy broke the color line in TV and Hollywood. She was the first to do many things that helped future black actresses. Not many, as of yet, have filled her shoes. Judy appeared on many successful TV shows and had parts in movies where she was the only appealing presence. It's also historic to mention she was one of the first black bachelorettes on the legendary The Dating Game (1965).
Judy Pace is starting to get her well-deserved recognition with the help of loyal fans. She's been honored through the years also. People who are becoming fans are surprised at the fact that they hadn't known of her earlier.That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 1
Whose Child Is This? (4 Sep. 1974)
"Judy Wilson" - Actress
- Soundtrack
Lillian Randolph was born on 14 December 1898 in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. She was an actress, known for It's a Wonderful Life (1946), Gildersleeve's Ghost (1944) and Magic (1978). She was married to Garcia Delano "Gossie" McKee and James Lott . She died on 12 September 1980 in Los Angeles, California, USA.That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 5
Clifton's Sugar Mama (2 Oct. 1974)
"Mrs. Birdie"- Ray Vitte was born on 20 November 1949 in New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for 9 to 5 (1980), Up in Smoke (1978) and Cruising (1980). He was married to Ernesta F. Gomez. He died on 20 February 1983 in Los Angeles, California, USA."Freddie Hampton"
That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 6
Clifton's Big Move (9 Oct. 1974) - Actress
- Soundtrack
Ernestine Wade was born on 7 August 1906 in Jackson, Mississippi, USA. She was an actress, known for The Amos 'n Andy Show (1951), The Guns of Fort Petticoat (1957) and Playhouse 90 (1956). She died on 15 April 1983 in Los Angeles, California, USA.That's My Mama: Season 1, Episode 5
Clifton's Sugar Mama (2 Oct. 1974)
"Augusta"