You don't need a close-up on my face nohow.' " Rolle laughsa deep, rich chuckle. J.J. was a likable, goofy slacker, and as his popularity increased, the writers drove him into being more and more broadly comedic. Hadassahs) role is frequently disregarded. According to BET, Amos was fired from Good Times in 1976 due to his disruptive on-set behavior and criticism of the shows scripts and overall direction. Rolle, best remembered for her portrayal of the strong mother on the hit television sitcom Good Times, died Tuesday night in Los Angeles, publicist Pat Tobin said Wednesday. target_type: 'mix' Instead, we often pit good versus evil Mordecai versus Haman and treat Esther like the cute Jewish cheerleader on the sidelines. Often times, his attitude led to creative differences between him and the production staff. Good Times is still a CLASSIC though. So when the kings order and edict had been proclaimed, and when many young women were gathered in Susa the citadel in custody of Hegai,Esther also was takento the kings palace and put in custody of Hegai, who had charge of the women. We have estimated The gap-toothed actress with the gravelly voice was born in Pompano Beach, Florida, the 10th child of 18 born to . Id better just fold my arms, put a carnation on my chest and say, Bye. . Esther did not have any children of her own but her husband had a daughter, Sherley Mae Robinson, (born 1936), with his first wife, the former Elizabeth Mae Robinson. Best known for the role of Florida Evans on the 1970s sitcoms Maude (1972) and Good Times (1974), African-American actress Esther Rolle proved to be as spirited and iron-willed off-camera as well. She is also credited for her role in the film The Mighty Quinn (1989), starring Denzel Washington and Sheryl Lee Ralph, and featuring Robert Townsend. According to Scripture, Esther had no parents. Calvary Baptist Church. Without JaNet, I dont think Janet Jackson wouldve ever gotten on our show, said Walker. Behold, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Mordecai sends the queen a message, telling her to throw herself before the king and beg for mercy on behalf of her people. She died in a hospital. Actress Esther Rolle attends Friar's Club Roast Honoring Redd Foxx on March 10, 1974 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. When its first 13 episodes premiered, Good Times was the 17th-highest-rated show, with a quarter of American TV viewers tuning in to watch. So, naturally, he made a decree in order to gather to himself all suitable virgins in the region. The collection includes gowns, a black Raggedy Andy doll she endorsed, a recording of poems recited by Rolle, and awards such as the 1974 NAACP Eighth Image Award for Best Actress in a Series and her 1979 Emmy for her role in Summer of My German Soldier.[13]. Oscar Robinsonm. A. #JimmyWalker from #GoodTimes accused of using homophobic slurs, including the F-word and prevented comedian @OfficialSampson from opening up for him: pic.twitter.com/hdXljpYZVF. Screen Actors Guild, was supportive of the Motion Picture and Television Fund, was the sister of character actresses Esther Rolle and Estelle Evans, was the 1977 recipient of the AUDELCO award for Best Supporting Actress, presided as a . We will update Esther Rolle's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible. Before Good Times and Maude, she worked in One Life to Live, and afterward, she was part of the cast of Summer of My German Soldier, Flamingo Road, Singer & Sons and Rosewood, among many others. Rolle, a Yale University student, and Amos, a Colorado State University, had high expectations of the show. Rolle released an album of music titled The Garden of My Mind in 1975. How did she die? However, he thinks she missed many opportunities to capitalize on her image. Here are a few things Esther went through: Esther and a significant number of the Jewish people lived scattered throughout Persia after the Babylonian exile. Will Dominion-Fox News lawsuit be different? Vol. Discover Esther Rolle's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. I said They dont get it, man., One actor who reportedly caused drama behind the scenes was John Amos. Esther knew that anyone who approached the king without first being summoned was killed unless the king was in the mood to extend his scepter and spare their life. 1 on iTunes Charts, Jussie Smollett finally appeals his conviction stemming from 2019 hate-crime hoax, Gayle King surprises Angela Bassett with her Whats Love Got to Do With It dress, Desperate mountain residents trapped by snow beg for help; We are coming, sheriff says, Hidden, illegal casinos are booming in L.A., with organized crime reaping big profits, Look up: The 32 most spectacular ceilings in Los Angeles, This fabled orchid breeder loves to chat just not about Trader Joes orchids, Newsom, IRS give Californians until October to file tax returns, Daisy Jones & the Six review: Riley Keough fronts a rock soap opera, Sweetie Pies alum Tim Norman gets life sentence for planned execution of nephew, Fox News finally reveals its kryptonite: the bottom line, Unlike Andor, Mandalorian is going all in on Star Wars lore. Liked by Anna Newson. Esther Rolle - The role of Florida Evans originally appeared on the Norman Lear-produced series Maude from (1972-1974). Dionysus was the son of the king of the Greek gods, Zeus, and Semele, the mortal daughter of Cadmus and Harmonia of Thebes [see map section Ed]. Her sister, Rosanna Carter, passed away in 2001, at age 83, just 3 years after Rolle's death. She is best known for her role as Florida Evans, on. She most likely didnt submit a rsum or raise her hand excitedly to volunteer for the harem. Her sisters include actresses Rosanna Carter and Esther Rolle. Age: 77 (11/8/1920 - 1/17/1998) Esther Rolle Photos (2) Esther Rolle's Relationships (1) Oscar Robinson. Esther Rolle (Actor), John Amos (Actor) Rated: NR Format: DVD 188 ratings IMDb 6.8/10.0 -61% $777 List Price: $19.99 DVD $7.77 DVD August 10, 2004 3 $7.77 $6.99 $2.85 DVD May 20, 2014 1 $9.99 $9.99 $2.93 Frequently bought together + Total price: Add both to Cart One of these items ships sooner than the other. Esther Elizabeth Rolle (November 8, 1920 - November 17, 1998) played the role as Florida Evans on the CBS-TV sitcom series Maude for two seasons (1972-1974) before reprising the role on Good Times, its spinoff, for five seasons in Seasons 1-4 and Season 6 (1974-1977, 1978-1979). Mother : Merline Rolle (predeceased) Brothers : Arthur and Leslie Rolle Sr., Nehmiah,. Rolle's only marriage was to Oscar Robinson. Later on, in a stand-off with Good Times producer Norman Lear, Rolle also quit when her contract ended. . So, how much is Esther Rolle worth at the age of 78 years old? For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your fathers house will perish. She had a brief career in acting and marveled at the success of her younger sister Esther Rolle. Esther Elizabeth Rolle (November 8, 1920 - November 17, 1998) was an Bahamian-American actress. Esther Elizabeth Rolle (November 8, 1920 - November 17, 1998) was an American actress. Ralph Carter played Michael Evans, Florida and James youngest son, known for his pro-Black activism in early episodes. Personal life and death [ edit] It's a site that collects all the most frequently asked questions and answers, so you don't have to spend hours on searching anywhere else. Esther Rolle Net Worth. ISSN 0012-9011. A devout member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Rolle requested that her funeral be held at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church. Ironically, her father insisted she promise him that she would never become a servant or maid in real life. John Amos and Esther Rolle, 1974. Daisy Jones and the Six Episode Three: Review, Daisy Jones and the Six Episode Two: Review, Daisy Jones and the Six Episode One: Review, Brian May Says Bohemian Rhapsody Sequel is Tempting, 40 Years Ago: M*A*S*H Goes Out With a Bang, 45 Years Ago: O.J. In a desperate bid to shore up the show's popularity, the producers convinced Rolle to come back for a final season in 1978-79, but the damage had already been done. This Bahamian biographical article is a stub. Founded in 1945 by John H. Johnson, it still maintains the highest global circulation of any African American-focused magazine. They had no children. At the end of the fourth season, Florida was written out by having her marry Carl Dixon. A year later, in March 1977, Rolle, too, left the show that had been created for her; the writers handled this departure by having her meet and marry a man named Carl Dixon (Moses Gunn) and move to Arizona. Show details She is best known for her role as Florida Evans, on the CBS television sitcom Maude, for two seasons (1972-1974), and its spin-off series Good Times, for five seasons (1974-77, 1978-79), for which Rolle was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Television Series Musical or Comedy in 1976. Esther Rolle. Esther Rolles performance as the matriarch of the Evans family was a driving force in television. | Source: Wikimedia Common Images. She is best known for her role as Florida Evans on the CBS television sitcom Maude for two seasons (1972-1974) and its spin-off series Good Times for five seasons (1974-77, 1978-79). In addition, the actor has played supporting roles in several shows and films, including the short-lived series Black Jesus, in which she portrayed herself. I will honestly say, I dont remember ever speaking a word to Ester the whole time she was there, remembered Walker. However, after Good Times ended, the actor had difficulty maintaining his TV profile. [6]1 In 1977, Rolle portrayed Lady Macbeth in Orson Welles' Haitian-influenced version of William Shakespeare's Macbeth at the Henry Street New Federal Theater in Manhattan. We can also see that, from the language used here, Esther didnt have much say in the matters that unfolded. Norman Lear and John Amos came to me and said How dare you put our girl in a position like that? he recalled. But while Esther was the brightest star in her show, in her life things were a bit different. She is a member of famous Actress with the age 78 years old group. Estelle Rolle Evans (October 1, 1906 - July 20, 1985) was a Bahamian American actress during the 20th century. Rolle had fought for the father character on the show, more relevant themes and scripts and was unhappy with the success of Jimmie Walker's character, J.J. Evans, which she believed took the show in a frivolous direction. Originated the role of 'Dorcas Moulineaux' in Steve Carter's play, 'Dame Lorraine, " at the Victory Gardens Theatre in Chicago on 27 March 1981. She caught the attention of TV producer Norman Lear while performing on stage who cast her in the Maude (1972) supporting role in 1972. Rolle also appeared in a series of psychic hotline TV commercials in the 1990s. While Janets role of Penny did solidify her career as a child actor, Jimmie also revealed the low-down on that. Evans was the sister of actresses Rosanna Carter and Esther Rolle. Daisy Jones & the Six becomes the first fictional band to hit No. Her sister Estelle Evans lived to age 78, before her death in 1985. (WTVM) She made a big splash onto the small screen with the 70s hit sitcom, Good Times. Some of her most famous appearances were in the movies The Quiet One (1948), To Kill a Mockingbird (1962), and The Learning Tree (1969). This feeling that the show was descending into stereotype soon became centered on Walker's J.J., who had rapidly become the show's most popular character. Purim is certainly a joyous occasion in the Jewish household complete with costumes, feasting, and drinking (until said costumes get snug and uncomfortable). Rolle was 19 years older than the actor (John Amos) who played her husband James (named Henry on Maude) Evans. The gap-toothed actress with the gravelly voice was born in Pompano Beach, Florida, the 10th child of 18 born to Caribbean farming immigrants. Advertisement Some of her most famous appearances were in the movies The Quiet One (1948), To Kill a Mockingbird (1962), and The Learning Tree (1969). Walker, who is currently in his early 70s, doesn't pull punches -- perhaps it's his standup comedy heritage that makes him such a truth-teller. In 1979, Rolle won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Special for the television film Summer of My German Soldier. Who was Esther Rolle husband? Still, Esther left the show for one season when she was unhappy about the negative role model perpetuated by Jimmie Walker's jive-talking J. J. character, but later returned after the producers assured her that more responsibility would be taken. Esther Rolle played the matriarch of the Evans family, Florida Evans. Apparently, the writers created the role of Pennyafter ongoing complaints from JaNet DuBois. At 78 years old, Esther Rolle height not available right now. Arthur received Emmy nominations for her work on the show in 1973, 1974, 1976-1978, winning in 1977. Since then, the actor has appeared on TV in Roots, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and The West Wing. 40 Esther Rolle And Good Times Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images CREATIVE EDITORIAL VIDEO 40 Esther Rolle And Good Times Premium High Res Photos Browse 40 esther rolle and good times stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. Join the Inherit community! Rolle was a member of Asadata Dafora's dance troupe, Shogolo Oloba[2] (later renamed the Federal Theater African Dance Troupe). Often saying she became an actress out of shyness, Rolle won Broadway parts and was appearing in Dont Play Me Cheap when Lear tapped her for Maude.. She was part of the National Organization for Women and dedicated a lot of time to visiting schools and organizations that took care of abused women and kids. John Amos was most memorable for his role as James Evans, the first Black TV dad. No other man could ever be their husband, and they never saw the king again unless he was pleased with them. In short, the king test-drove all the models before making his purchase, and he purchased Esther to replace his former queen. "Tell them Esther sent you," was her trademark line.[8]. In addition, she owned 1,000 shares of Bethdames Corporation, several Mutual Funds, and 2% interest in El Toro, Ltd. The series about the problems of a black family living in a housing project ran successfully until 1979, making a star of Jimmie Walker, who played elder son J.J. Rolle left the series in the fall of 1977, protesting that Walkers occasionally shady though humorous character set a bad example for black youths. Office: (954) 525-1489 But after getting spun off into Good Times, Esther Rolle demanded. He was recently interviewed by the Television Academy, and his . | Source: Wikimedia Commons Images. harlem shuffle ending explained; Products & Services. Rolles most recent films were Rosewood last year and Maya Angelous Down in the Delta, scheduled for release next month. She once appeared as a panelist on Match Game in the mid-1970s. Esther Rolle, a sharecropper's daughter who grew up to become a respected actress and role model for other blacks, has died. The gap-toothed actress with the gravelly voice was born in Pompano Beach, Florida, the 10th child of 18 born to Caribbean farming immigrants. Its gritty and (unfortunately) relatable to readers who may have rocky histories of their own. esther m. heffernan, died saturday, october 4, 2008 at home in newport. Collection of Esther Rolle's personal works, African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Television Series Musical or Comedy, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie, Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture, "Esther Rolle, 78, Who Played Feisty Maid and Matriarch", "Families say graves are being covered up at neglected Pompano Beach cemetery", "AFRICAN-AMERICAN RESEARCH LIBRARY GETS MEMENTOS OF GOOD TIMES' ESTHER ROLLE", Esther Rolle Collection, African American Research Library and Cultural Center, Broward County Library, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Esther_Rolle&oldid=1142395809, Activists for African-American civil rights, Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie Primetime Emmy Award winners, Turner Classic Movies person ID same as Wikidata, Short description is different from Wikidata, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Articles with unsourced statements from July 2022, Internet Off-Broadway Database person ID same as Wikidata, TCMDb name template using numeric ID from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Episode: "Edward/The Extraordinary Miss Jones", Documentary about the history of racial stereotypes, This page was last edited on 2 March 2023, at 04:29. I wonder how hed feel if hed lived to see me famous as a maid.. The Rolle family settled in Pompano Beach and are pioneer members of Mt. Esther Rolle was an actress primarily recognized for her role as principled, spirited Florida Evans who was first the maid on the Norman Lear sitcom Maude (starring Beatrice Arthur) and later was spun off into the starring role as the mother in the Lear sitcom Good Times (1974-79). CBS. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'_GrHqdWWRilqdiaWhCN9jg',sig:'c1PIyC-xdbytJlVc8o4GmovS3Cx-e2F7VvcxWv9Ty2A=',w:'594px',h:'505px',items:'859245584',caption: false ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); The talented actress, who portrayed Willona on the show, allegedly complained about her character not having enough time in the spotlight. Also learn how She earned most of Esther Rolle networth? Previously, the actor had played Florida Evans in the sitcom Maude before Good Times debuted. The initial structure of the show was familiar to audiences and in particular those who were familiar with All in the Family and Maude. This article about a United States film and television actor born in the 1900s is a stub. Nassau, New Providence District, Bahamas. Good Times was a Norman Lear-produced Sitcom that ran on CBS from 1974-79. She is one of the few, true heroines of the Tanakh. [5] Rolle's most prominent early role was as Miss Maybell in the Melvin Van Peebles musical film Don't Play Us Cheap, and its subsequent stage adaptation. Esther Rolle's performance as the matriarch of the Evans family was a driving force in television. Her writing teacher talked her into taking acting classes instead. As the character JJ Evans on Good Times, famous for dropping the catchphrase Dyn-O-Mite!, actor and standup comedian Jimmie Walker became one of the best-loved sitcom stars in the mid-'70s. Her net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. Rolle, best remembered for her portrayal of the. Two of her sisters, Estelle Evans and Rosanna Carter, were also character actresses. Jimmie Walker was only 27 when he landed the role of James Jr., the Evans familys oldest son, and it launched him to superstardom. So Esther, Mordecai, and the Jewish people fasted and prayed. Audiences loved her so much as the feisty domestic who stood her ground, and then some, against her volatile and liberal-minded employer Maude Findley (Bea Arthur), that Esther earned her own spin-off series with Good Times (1974). She is best known for her role as Florida Evans, on the CBS television sitcom Maude, for two seasons (19721974), and its spin-off series Good Times, for five seasons (197477, 197879), for which Rolle was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Television Series Musical or Comedy in 1976. No, more than hope--it was possibility., Directors and others on the Maude set started speaking of a spinoff before Rolle knew the meaning of the word. I resent the imagery that says to Black kids that you can make it by standing on the corner saying 'Dyn-o-mite!". Thankfully, the king held out his scepter. Your email address will not be published. The virgins, who were all quite young, were escorted to the king, who is said to have been approximately 40 years of age at the time. Rolle was born in Florida in November 1920, and she was the tenth of eighteen children. Compelled to fight racial stereotypes, she insisted before accepting the series that a strong father figure be central in the show (actor John Amos). Amos and Rolle, who both had activist inclinations of their own, were displeased by the turn the show was taking. Why Do Cross Country Runners Have Skinny Legs? Esther Rolle was an American actor. He chose a woman who had everything taken from her her parents, her freedom, her virginity and He gave her everything. [5] In the 1990s, Rolle was a surprise guest on RuPaul's VH-1 talk show. Last film was Train Ride (2000), an independent feature-film written and directed by Rel Dowdell, which was shot on location at Cheyney University in Cheyney, Pennsylvania, the oldest Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) college in the United States. He can't read and write. 1938 graduate from Blanche Ely High School in Pompano Beach, Florida, USA, a school still in operation as of 2020. We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. Rosanna Rolle Birth 20 Sep 1918. What was her cause of death? Funeral service for the Late CECIL LEROY ROLLE age 61 years of Eight Mile Rock, Grand Bahama will be held on Friday, June 18, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Community Holiness Church, Eight Mile Rock, Grand Bahama. Learn How rich is She in this year and how She spends money? Title: Esther Rolle as Florida Evans in "Good Times" You may remember Esther Rolle for her portrayal as the loving but strict mother of three children in the hit television show "Good Times." Rolle was born 10th in a family of 18 children whom all dreamed of becoming actors and actresses. }); Copyright 2015 . CNN Actor Johnny Brown, who played building superintendent Nathan Bookman on the 1970s sitcom "Good Times," has died, according to an Instagram post from his daughter, Sharon Brown. Rolle died on November 17, 1998, in Culver City, California,[2] from complications of diabetes, nine days after her 78th birthday. Evans was the sister of actresses Rosanna Carter and Esther Rolle . EXCERPT FROM THIS ARTICLE: The daughter of Bahamian immigrants, Rolle was born in 1922 as the tenth of 18 children. Evans was married once, to Walter Evans. According to IMDb, the 75-year-old Walker is still performing stand-up comedy on the road for 25 to 30 weeks a year. She's Just Dropped An EP Esther Elizabeth Rolle: Mini Bio (1) Best known for the role of Florida Evans on the 1970s sitcoms Maude (1972) and Good Times (1974), African-American actress Esther Rolle proved to be as spirited and iron-willed off-camera as well. Heres what to know, From Chris Rock to the SAG Awards. We read in Scripture that Esther was young and exceptionally beautiful. As Idella, the long-suffering housekeeper in Driving Miss Daisy, Esther Rolle played her last scene lying in a casket. Although the show continued without her for the fifth season, she returned for the show's final season. [10] Esther Rolle appeared early in her career in the film Nothing But a Man (1964). The series was an offshoot of Lears earlier comedy, Maude a spinoff of All in the Family. Esther Rolle (Actor), John Amos (Actor), Various (Director) Rated: NR Format: DVD 132 ratings -13% $1299 List Price: $14.98 Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns DVD $12.99 DVD January 21, 2014 Double Feature 3 $12.99 $8.79 $2.93 Available at a lower price from other sellers that may not offer free Prime shipping. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. Else who am I and why am I taking up space on Gods green Earth? She was the tenth of 18 children (children who included siblings and fellow actresses Estelle Evans and Rosanna Carter). Here's everything to know about McGregor's daughter Esther Rose. However, their expectations hit the ground when Jimmie Walker's character of J.J became the breakout character in the series for his hilarious antics and stereotypically buffoonish behavior. The two had three daughters: Eliza, Ella and Estella Evans. There were also several recurring supporting characters: a divorcee named Willona Woods who was Florida's best friend, the annoying building super Nathan Bookman, a local alcoholic named Ned the Wino, a neighborhood pimp, the local alderman and others. TV, stage and film actress Esther Rolle served as the first woman to receive the NAACP Chairman's "Civil Rights Leadership Award" as a tribute to her efforts to raise the image of Blacks through her work. Jimmie J.J. Walker is probably best known as the the rubber-faced comedian who made famous the catchphrase dyn-o-mite! on the popular 1970s sitcom Good Times., 2022 - 2023 Times Mojo - All Rights Reserved The show didn't start out to be that. Even though Good Times was a top-rated show as it portrayed the first Black nuclear family on the small screen, neither Esther nor John Amos, two of the main characters, were happy with the series. Brighten your inbox with monthly article emails and occasional event announcements. Because she laid out her side of whatever so much, that the writer said Weve got to do something to get her off our backs.. In other assignments, she won an Emmy Award for the TV movie Summer of My German Soldier (1978) and gained further respect for her work in Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1979) and for her film work in Driving Miss Daisy (1989) and Rosewood (1997). plot to annihilate all of the Jewish people, Esther, Mordecai, and the Jewish people fasted and prayed, her character and courage and Gods redemptive love at work, God can bring about new life, redemption, and freedom. John Amos agreed with Rolle about Walker's character and was fired from the show after the third season ended. He used someone who, due to gender, culture, and circumstance, was powerless and invisible and made her the pivotal, formidable heroine. Rolle died in November 1998 from complications of diabetes at 78 years of age, Evans died in July 1985 when she was also 78, and Carter passed away in 2016 when she was 98 years old. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! EBONY is the flagship magazine of Johnson Publishing. When she died in 1998, she left an estate valued in excess of $1.7 million including $200,000 in cash a $400,000 home, $1,072,000 in treasuries. Esther Rolle, a sharecroppers daughter who grew up to become a respected actress and role model for other blacks, has died. Esthers story is a powerful reminder that God can bring about new life, redemption, and freedom, even when it seems an impossible feat. And, from what we read, her story isnt exactly as pretty as her face. Of course, no celebration of Purim is complete without the traditional reading of the story of Esther. But to push Esther out of the limelight is to underestimate the power of the story. Her parents were both born and raised in Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas and moved to Florida some time after their marriage. She had diabetes and was undergoing dialysis, according to The Associated Press. [3] While in New York, she attended Hunter College before transferring to The New School and then Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. The last sibling of Esther Rolle has transitioned. She became the troupe's director in 1960. Esther Rolle (born Esther Elizabeth Rolle, November 8, 1920-November 18, 1998) was an African-American Actress. Although they had been granted freedom to return to their homeland, many of the Jewish people stayed in exile rather than go back to a war-torn Jerusalem. Esther Rolle holding Emmy Award at The 31st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards on September 9, 1979 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, California Rolle's character was so popular that less than18 months after the first episode of Maude, Rolle was given a spin-off of her own, Good Times. Why Famous: Florida Evans of Good Times, television sitcom. Although the actor is best recognized for his breakthrough performance in Good Times, he moved on to other projects. Esther Rolle, the strong-willed mother on the hit television sitcom Good Times (1974-79) who also appeared in the films Driving Miss Daisy (1989) and Rosewood (1997 . Her first important work came with the Negro Ensemble Company and over the years would earn a solid careworn reputation in such theater plays as "The Blacks," "Blues for Mister Charlie," "The Amen Corner," "A Raisin in the Sun" and "A Member of the Wedding. " They were taken one by one, for him to sleep with. She graduated from Yale University and then moved to New York City to pursue a career in acting.