Esther Rolle
Biography
Esther Elizabeth Rolle was a Bahamian American actress born on November 8, 1920, in Pompano Beach, Florida, United States. She passed away on November 17, 1998, at the age of 78. During her acting career, Rolle accumulated known credits in television and film. She is best known for her television role as Florida Evans, a character she played on the 1970s sitcoms Maude and its spin-off series Good Times. On Maude, her character was introduced as Maude Findlay's housekeeper for two seasons from 1972 to 1974. She then starred in Good Times for five seasons, spanning from 1974 to 1977 and again from 1978 to 1979, portraying Florida in a show about her family. For her work on Good Times, Rolle was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Television Series Musical or Comedy in 1976.
Career overview
Esther Elizabeth Rolle was a Bahamian American actress born on November 8, 1920, in Pompano Beach, Florida, United States. Her career included work in film and television, with a known credit count of forty-five. She passed away on November 17, 1998, at the age of seventy-eight.
Rolle is best known for her television role as Florida Evans, a character she played across two 1970s sitcoms. The character was originally introduced as Maude Findlay's housekeeper on the CBS television sitcom Maude, a role Rolle played for two seasons from 1972 to 1974. Following this, the character was spun off during the second season of Maude into the series Good Times, a show about Florida's family. Rolle appeared in Good Times for five seasons, spanning from 1974 to 1977 and again from 1978 to 1979. For her work on Good Times, she received a nomination for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Television Series Musical or Comedy in 1976.
Beyond her notable television work as Florida Evans, Rolle's filmography includes appearances in motion pictures such as Mys hruzy, Ridic slecny Daisy, and Up the Down Staircase.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
46 titles- Train Ride (2005) as Dean of Students
- Down in the Delta (1998) as Annie Sinclair
- Rosewood (1997) as Aunt Sarah
- Promised Land (1996) as Mary Harding
- My Fellow Americans (1996) as Rita
- How to Make an American Quilt (1995) as Aunt Pauline
- Nobody's Girls: Five Women of the West (1995) as Clara Brown
- Touched by an Angel (1994) as Mary Harding
- Scarlett (1994) as Mammy
- House of Cards (1993) as Adelle
- Message from Nam (1993) as Queenie / Elizabeth McQueen
- To Dance with the White Dog (1993) as Neelie
- Color Adjustment (1992) as Self
- Cape Fear (1991) as Woman Watching Cady Get Out from Under the Car (uncredited)
- Singer and Sons (1990)
- The Kid Who Loved Christmas (1990) as Esther Clayton
- Driving Miss Daisy (1989) as Idella
- The Mighty Quinn (1989) as Ubu Pearl
- A Raisin in the Sun (1989) as Lena 'Mama' Younger
- Age-Old Friends (1989) as Mrs. Baker
- P.K. and the Kid (1987) as Mim
- Ethnic Notions (1986) as Narrator
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Margaret
- Finder of Lost Loves (1984) as Nellie
- The Grand Baby (1983) as Momma
- American Playhouse (1982) as Church Woman
- American Playhouse (1982) as Lena Younger
- The New Odd Couple (1982) as Ms. Gibbs
- The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet (1982) as Nurse
- Flamingo Road (1981)
- Darkroom (1981) as Old Woman
- See China and Die (1981) as Momma Sykes
- I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1979) as Momma
- Summer of My German Soldier (1978) as Ruth
- The Incredible Hulk (1977)
- Donny & Marie (1976) as Self
- Good Times (1974) as Florida Evans
- Cleopatra Jones (1973) as Mrs. Johnson
- Don't Play Us Cheap (1973) as Miss Maybell
- Maude (1972) as Florida Evans
- Who Says I Can't Ride a Rainbow! (1971) as Maid
- The Learning Tree (1969) as uncredited
- Up the Down Staircase (1967) as Teacher
- Nothing But a Man (1964) as Church Woman
- To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) as uncredited role
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Esther Rolle best known for?
Esther Rolle is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Asterix and Cleopatra (1968), How to Make an American Quilt (1995), Touched by an Angel (1994), Encounters of the Spooky Kind (1980).
When and where was Esther Rolle born?
Esther Rolle was born on November 8, 1920 in Pompano Beach, Florida USA. They passed away on November 17, 1998.
How many credits does Esther Rolle have?
Esther Rolle has accumulated over 46 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1951 to 2005.
What is Esther Rolle's background in cinema and television?
Esther Elizabeth Rolle was a Bahamian American actress born on November 8, 1920, in Pompano Beach, Florida, United States. She passed away on November 17, 1998, at the age of 78. During her acting career, Rolle accumulated known credits in television and film. She is best known for her television role as Florida Evans,...
Esther Rolle by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) — aged about 30
- Good Times (1974) as Florida Evans — aged about 53
- To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) as uncredited role — aged about 41
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Margaret — aged about 63
- Nothing But a Man (1964) as Church Woman — aged about 43
- Cape Fear (1991) as Woman Watching Cady Get Out from Under the Car (uncredited) — aged about 70
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