Esther Rolle Biography

Esther Rolle was an actress best known for her roles in the television such as "Maude and "Good Times". Esther Rolle was born on November 8, 1920 in Pompano Beach, Florida. Rolle had seventeen siblings. Her parents immigrated from The Bahamas. Rolle attended Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. She also studied at Hunter College and the New School for Social Research in New York. In 1955, Rolle married Oscar Robinson. The marriage lasted for five years. In 1962, Rolle appeared on stage in Jean Genet's production of "The Blacks". A few years later, Rolle had roles in "Blues for Charlie" and "The Crucible".

Rolle made her film debut in the 1964 drama, "Nothing But a Man" with Ivan Dixon and Abbey Lincoln. In 1965, she starred in a Broadway production of "The Amen Corner" as well "Day of Absence". Rolle helped establish the Douglas Turner Ward's Negro Ensemble Company where she appeared in "Summer of the Seventeenth Doll" and "God Is A (Guess What?)". In 1971, Rolle starred in the independent film, "Who Says I Can't Ride a Rainbow?". That same year, Rolle appeared in episodes of the soap opera, "One Life to Live". In 1972, she won the role of "Florida Evans" on the television series, "Maude".

Rolle's character was so beloved by the viewers that a spin-off of the show was made centering around the family of "Florida Evans". The series was entitled, "Good Times" which also starred John Amos, Ja'net DuBois, Ralph Carter, Jimmie Walker and BernNadette Stanis. The series was nominated for three Golden Globes including a "Best TV Actress - Musical/Comedy" for Rolle. "Good Times" lasted until 1979. In 1973, Rolle starred in the films, "Don't Play Us Cheap" and "Cleopatra Jones". In 1978, Rolle appeared in the television movie, "Summer of My German Soldier" which earned her an Emmy for "Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or a Special".

After "Good Times" Rolle appeared in several guest starring roles in television such as, "Darkroom" (1981), "Flamingo Road" (1982), "The New Odd Couple" (1982), "Fantasy Island" (1983), "The Love Boat" (1983, 1985) and "Murder, She Wrote" (1985). Films included, "P.K. and the Kid" (1987) with Molly Ringwald, "The Mighty Quinn" (1989) with Denzel Washington and Mimi Rogers, "Driving Miss Daisy" (1989) with Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy and "House of Cards" (1993) with Kathleen Turner and Tommy Lee Jones.

Rolle also starred in, "How to Make an American Quilt" (1995) with Winona Ryder, Anne Bancroft and Ellen Burstyn and "My Fellow Americans" (1996) with Jack Lemmon, James Garner and Lauren Bacall. In 1997 Rolle appeared in "Rosewood" with Jon Voight, Ving Rhames and Don Cheadle. Rolle's performance earned her a nomination for an Image Award. Her last acting role was in the drama, "Train Ride" which was released two years after her death. On November 17, 1998, Rolle passed away due to complications from a metabolic disorder known as diabetes. She was 78 years old. Rolle is currently buried at Westview Community Cemetery in Pompano Beach, Florida.