Clarice Taylor
Encyclopedia
Clarice Taylor was an American
stage, film and television actress.
as Dr. Heathcliff "Cliff" Huxtable's (Bill Cosby
) mother, Anna Huxtable. She was nominated for an Emmy Award
in 1986
for the role. She also played Harriet on Sesame Street
and appeared as Grady's cousin Emma on Sanford and Son
.
Taylor was raised in New York City
and started working in the theatre—with the American Negro Theatre—at a time when there were few opportunities for African-American actors. To support herself she followed in her father's (Leon B. Taylor, Sr.) footsteps and went to work for the U.S. Post Office. In the 1960s she got her big break that enabled her to act full time. Taylor was one of the founding members of the Negro Ensemble Company
, headquartered in the East Village on St. Marks Place.
's Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon
. In 1971 she played Birdie in Clint Eastwood
's Play Misty For Me
. In 1973, she brought a role she had pioneered off-Broadway to film, playing Gladys Brooks in Five on the Blackhand Side.
as Addaperle, the Good Witch of the North. Her most recent performance was in a touring production of her own one-woman show, Moms, for which she won an Obie Award
. Her most recent film appearance was a small role in Wayne Wang
's film Smoke
.
from congestive heart failure, aged 93. She is survived by her two sons: William and James, her daughter-in-law, Gizele, and four grandchildren: Jason, Kristen, Raul Jr. and Jared.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
stage, film and television actress.
Biography
Born in Buckingham County, Virginia, Taylor was best-known for her recurring role on television on The Cosby ShowThe Cosby Show
The Cosby Show is an American television situation comedy starring Bill Cosby, which aired for eight seasons on NBC from September 20, 1984 until April 30, 1992...
as Dr. Heathcliff "Cliff" Huxtable's (Bill Cosby
Bill Cosby
William Henry "Bill" Cosby, Jr. is an American comedian, actor, author, television producer, educator, musician and activist. A veteran stand-up performer, he got his start at various clubs, then landed a starring role in the 1960s action show, I Spy. He later starred in his own series, the...
) mother, Anna Huxtable. She was nominated for an Emmy Award
Emmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
in 1986
1986 in television
The year 1986 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1986.For the American network television schedule, please see 1986-87 American network television schedule.-Events:-Debuts:*September 6 –...
for the role. She also played Harriet on Sesame Street
Sesame Street
Sesame Street has undergone significant changes in its history. According to writer Michael Davis, by the mid-1970s the show had become "an American institution". The cast and crew expanded during this time, including the hiring of women in the crew and additional minorities in the cast. The...
and appeared as Grady's cousin Emma on Sanford and Son
Sanford and Son
Sanford and Son is an American sitcom, based on the BBC's Steptoe and Son, that ran on the NBC television network from January 14, 1972, to March 25, 1977....
.
Taylor was raised in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and started working in the theatre—with the American Negro Theatre—at a time when there were few opportunities for African-American actors. To support herself she followed in her father's (Leon B. Taylor, Sr.) footsteps and went to work for the U.S. Post Office. In the 1960s she got her big break that enabled her to act full time. Taylor was one of the founding members of the Negro Ensemble Company
Negro Ensemble Company
The Negro Ensemble Company is a New York City-based theater company. Established in 1967 by playwright Douglas Turner Ward, producer/actor Robert Hooks, and theater manager Gerald S...
, headquartered in the East Village on St. Marks Place.
Film work
While working with the NEC she got her first offer of a movie role in Change of Mind. Her next film role was as "Minnie" in Otto PremingerOtto Preminger
Otto Ludwig Preminger was an Austro–Hungarian-American theatre and film director.After moving from the theatre to Hollywood, he directed over 35 feature films in a five-decade career. He rose to prominence for stylish film noir mysteries such as Laura and Fallen Angel...
's Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon
Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon
Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon is a 1970 film directed by Otto Preminger. The film is based on the book by Marjorie Kellogg. The film starred Liza Minnelli as the title character, a girl whose face is scarred in a vicious battery acid attack by her boy friend. Later in an institution, she...
. In 1971 she played Birdie in Clint Eastwood
Clint Eastwood
Clinton "Clint" Eastwood, Jr. is an American film actor, director, producer, composer and politician. Eastwood first came to prominence as a supporting cast member in the TV series Rawhide...
's Play Misty For Me
Play Misty for Me
Play Misty for Me is a 1971 American psychological thriller film, directed by and starring Clint Eastwood, in his directorial debut. Jessica Walter and Donna Mills co-star. The original music score was composed by Dee Barton.-Plot:...
. In 1973, she brought a role she had pioneered off-Broadway to film, playing Gladys Brooks in Five on the Blackhand Side.
Stage
Taylor appeared in The WizThe Wiz
The Wiz: The Super Soul Musical "Wonderful Wizard of Oz" is a musical with music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls and book by William F. Brown. It is a retelling of L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in the context of African American culture. It opened on October 21, 1974 at the Morris A...
as Addaperle, the Good Witch of the North. Her most recent performance was in a touring production of her own one-woman show, Moms, for which she won an Obie Award
Obie Award
The Obie Awards or Off-Broadway Theater Awards are annual awards given by The Village Voice newspaper to theatre artists and groups in New York City...
. Her most recent film appearance was a small role in Wayne Wang
Wayne Wang
Wayne Wang is a Chinese American film director.-Biography:Wang was born and raised in Hong Kong, and named after his father's favorite movie star, John Wayne...
's film Smoke
Smoke (film)
Smoke is an American independent film released in 1995. It was produced by Hisami Kuroiwa, Harvey Weinstein and Bob Weinstein and directed by Wayne Wang and Paul Auster...
.
Death
Clarice Taylor died at her home in Englewood, New JerseyEnglewood, New Jersey
Englewood is a city located in Bergen County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 27,147.Englewood was incorporated as a city by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 17, 1899, from portions of Ridgefield Township and the remaining portions of...
from congestive heart failure, aged 93. She is survived by her two sons: William and James, her daughter-in-law, Gizele, and four grandchildren: Jason, Kristen, Raul Jr. and Jared.