Rosetta LeNoire

Rosetta LeNoire (Rosetta Olive Burton) (August 8 1911 - March 17 2002) was an African American stage, screen, and television actress and Broadway producer and casting agent. She was a native of New York City, New York.

Related Topics:
August 8 - 1911 - March 17 - 2002 - African American - Stage - Screen - Television - Actress - Broadway - Producer - Casting agent - New York City, New York

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As a young girl, LeNoire suffered from rickets, which her godfather Bill "Bojangles" Robinson helped her overcome by teaching her to dance. LeNoire made her acting debut in a 1939 production of Hot Mikado, starring Robinson. She later became a successful and groundbreaking Broadway producer, and founded the AMAS Repertory Theatre Company, which promoted interracial acting companies. The Actor's Equity awarded her the first award for helping contribute to the diversification of theatre casting; in 1988, the award was named the Rosetta LeNoire Award.

Related Topics:
Rickets - Godfather - Bill "Bojangles" Robinson - 1939 - Broadway - Actor's Equity - 1988

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LeNoire is best known to modern audiences for her work in television. She had regular roles on the series Gimme a Break! and Amen, and is best known for her role as the fiesty Mother Estelle Winslow on Family Matters.

Related Topics:
Television - Gimme a Break! - Amen - Family Matters

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In her later years, LeNoire suffered from diabetes. She died of complications from diabetes on March 17, 2002, at the age of 90, while staying at the Actors' Fund Nursing and Retirement Home in Englewood, New Jersey.

Related Topics:
Diabetes - March 17 - 2002 - Englewood, New Jersey

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