Minnie Gentry was a renowned American actress who had a long and illustrious career on stage, screen, and television. She was born on December 2, 1915 in Norfolk, Virginia, and began acting at a young age in Cleveland, Ohio. She performed in many plays at the Karamu House, a distinguished African-American theater, and later moved to New York, where she appeared on Broadway, in films, and on TV shows. She was also the great-grandmother of actor Terrence Howard, who credits her with inspiring his passion for acting.
Early Life and Career
Minnie Gentry was born as Minnie Lee Watson, the daughter of Mincie and Taylor Watson. Her family moved to Cleveland during her childhood, where she studied piano at the Phyllis Wheatley School of Music. She began acting at the Friendly Inn Settlement and married Lloyd Gentry in 1932. They had a daughter, Marjorie Hawkins, who later became the mother of Anita Williams, the grandmother of Terrence Howard.
Minnie Gentry joined the Karamu Theater in 1934, where she performed in many plays, including Lysistrata, Macbeth, and The Emperor Jones. She also worked as a drama teacher and a director at the theater. She returned to Karamu intermittently over 60 years, the last time in 1990.
In 1946, she made her Broadway debut in Lysistrata, directed by John Houseman. She went on to appear in several other Broadway productions, such as Ain’t Supposed to Die a Natural Death, The Sunshine Boys, and All God’s Chillun Got Wings. She also acted in off-Broadway and regional theaters, such as the Negro Ensemble Company and the Lincoln Center Theater.
Film and Television Roles
Minnie Gentry made her film debut in 1972, in Georgia, Georgia, a drama written by Maya Angelou. She also played a memorable role as Momma Gibbs in Black Caesar, a blaxploitation film starring Fred Williamson. She continued to appear in films throughout the 1970s and 1980s, such as Come Back, Charleston Blue, Greased Lightning, The Brother from Another Planet, and Apprentice to Murder.
She also had a prolific career on television, appearing in soap operas, sitcoms, and dramas. She portrayed Aunt Bess on All My Children and Miriam George on Ryan’s Hope. She also appeared as Gramtee on The Cosby Show, a role that earned her an Emmy nomination in 1990. She also guest-starred on shows such as Law & Order, The Equalizer, and Spenser: For Hire.
Death and Legacy
Minnie Gentry died on May 11, 1993, at her home in Manhattan, at the age of 77. The cause of her death was not disclosed, but she had been suffering from a long illness. She was survived by her daughter, four grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
Minnie Gentry was a trailblazer and a legend in the African-American theater and film industry. She was known for her versatility, charisma, and professionalism. She inspired generations of actors, including her great-grandson Terrence Howard, who said that watching her perform different characters made him realize acting was his passion. She was also a mentor and a friend to many of her colleagues and peers. She was honored with a star on the Cleveland Play House Walk of Fame and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Black Theatre Festival.
Sources
- According to Wikipedia, Minnie Gentry was born on December 2, 1915 in Norfolk, Virginia, and died on May 11, 1993 in New York City. She was a Broadway, film, and television actress, and the great-grandmother of Terrence Howard.
- According to IMDb, Minnie Gentry was nominated for an Emmy Award in 1990 for her role as Gramtee on The Cosby Show. She also appeared in films such as Black Caesar, The Brother from Another Planet, and Bad Lieutenant.
- According to Cinemorgue Wiki, Minnie Gentry’s only on-screen death was in Black Caesar, where she played the mother of Fred Williamson’s character.
- According to CelebsAges, Minnie Gentry’s cause of death was not revealed, but she had been ill for a long time. She was married to Lloyd Gentry and had a daughter, Marjorie Hawkins.