Esther Rolle
Esther Rolle
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Esther Rolle was born in Pompano Beach, Florida to Jonathan and Elizabeth Rolle, Bahamian immigrants. Esther was the tenth child in a family that produced a total of 18 children.
After graduation from Blanche Ely High School, Rolle moved to New York City and attended Hunter College, Spelman College and The New School for Social Research. She was also a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.. For many years, Rolle worked in a traditional "day job" in New York City's garment district. She also attended Yale University.
Rolle's earliest roles were on the stage; her New York stage debut was in the 1962 play The Blacks. She was often cast in plays produced by Robert Hooks and the Negro Ensemble Company. She also appeared in productions of The Crucible and Blues for Mr. Charlie.
Rolle's most prominent early role was as Miss Maybell in the 1973 Melvin Van Peebles play, Don't Play Us Cheap.
Rolle is perhaps best known for her television role as Florida Evans, the character she played on two 1970s sitcoms: Maude and its spin-off, Good Times.
The character was initially 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 fought for more relevant themes and scripts, and was unhappy when the success of Jimmie Walker's character J.J. took the show in what she thought was a frivolous direction. As a result, actor John Amos, who played the role of the father, James Evans, ultimately left the show. Later on, in a stand-off with Good Times producer Norman Lear, Rolle also quit when her contract concluded. Although the series continued without her for a time, she returned for the show's final season.
She also guest starred on The Incredible Hulk series in an episode entitled "Behind the Wheel" where she played a taxicab business owner.
In the 1990s, Rolle was a surprise guest on Ru Paul's VH-1 talk show. Her Maude co-star Bea Arthur was the guest and Rolle was brought out to surprise Arthur. The two hadn't seen each other in years, Arthur said, and embraced warmly.
Rolle also appeared in a series of psychic hotline commercials in the 1990s. "Tell them Esther sent you," was her trademark line.
After graduation from Blanche Ely High School, Rolle moved to New York City and attended Hunter College, Spelman College and The New School for Social Research. She was also a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.. For many years, Rolle worked in a traditional "day job" in New York City's garment district. She also attended Yale University.
Rolle's earliest roles were on the stage; her New York stage debut was in the 1962 play The Blacks. She was often cast in plays produced by Robert Hooks and the Negro Ensemble Company. She also appeared in productions of The Crucible and Blues for Mr. Charlie.
Rolle's most prominent early role was as Miss Maybell in the 1973 Melvin Van Peebles play, Don't Play Us Cheap.
Rolle is perhaps best known for her television role as Florida Evans, the character she played on two 1970s sitcoms: Maude and its spin-off, Good Times.
The character was initially 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 fought for more relevant themes and scripts, and was unhappy when the success of Jimmie Walker's character J.J. took the show in what she thought was a frivolous direction. As a result, actor John Amos, who played the role of the father, James Evans, ultimately left the show. Later on, in a stand-off with Good Times producer Norman Lear, Rolle also quit when her contract concluded. Although the series continued without her for a time, she returned for the show's final season.
She also guest starred on The Incredible Hulk series in an episode entitled "Behind the Wheel" where she played a taxicab business owner.
In the 1990s, Rolle was a surprise guest on Ru Paul's VH-1 talk show. Her Maude co-star Bea Arthur was the guest and Rolle was brought out to surprise Arthur. The two hadn't seen each other in years, Arthur said, and embraced warmly.
Rolle also appeared in a series of psychic hotline commercials in the 1990s. "Tell them Esther sent you," was her trademark line.
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