Ella Mitchell Explained

Ella Mitchell
Birth Date:14 September 1935
Birth Place:Ahoskie, North Carolina, U.S.
Death Place:New York City, New York, U.S.
Occupation:Soul singer, actress
Notable Works:Hattie Mae Pierce (Big Momma) in Big Momma's House

Ella Mitchell (September 14, 1935 – July 2, 2024) was an American soul singer and actress. Mitchell is most recognized for playing the comic role as Hattie Mae Pierce (Big Momma) in the 2000 comedy film Big Momma's House and the evil witch Evillene in the Broadway theatre revival production of the musical The Wiz.

Life and career

Mitchell was born in Ahoskie, North Carolina, on September 14, 1935.[1]

Mitchell appeared in the 1975 film Lord Shango. She assumed the role of Evillene when The Wiz revived on Broadway in 1984.[2] [3] She reprised the role again when the show was on tour in 1992.[4] [5]

Mitchell was a member of The Gospel All Stars and The Bradford Singers, and performed with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for 30 years.[6]

In September 2000, Mitchell was one of a "multicultural" array of artists—including Jojo Mayer, Hyung-ki Joo, Luoyong Wang, Gilles Chiasson, and Angela Covington—performing at Madison Square Garden's Paramount Theatre as part of the "Peace, Health and Prosperity Concert" that concluded the United Nations Millennium Summit.[7]

Mitchell died in New York City on July 2, 2024, at the age of 88.[1] [8]

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
1973Sesame Street Herself 2 episodes
1975Lord Shango Lead singer Uncredited
2000Big Momma's House Hattie Mae Pierce (Big Momma) Final film role

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ella Mitchell Holt . Legacy . 15 July 2024.
  2. News: Rich. Frank. STAGE: 'THE WIZ' BACK ON BROADWAY. May 25, 1984. The New York Times. September 26, 2015.
  3. Simon. John. The Wiz is as slapdash and soporific as ever. Miss Firecracker is formula Henley—some wit among the bizarreness. June 4, 1984. New York. September 26, 2015.
  4. News: Nelson. Nels. Moving Down The Road Again 'The Wiz' Comes To Town For Another Visit That's All Too Brief. October 22, 1992. Philadelphia Daily News. September 26, 2015.
  5. News: Williams. Albert. The Wiz. October 1, 1992. Chicago Reader. September 26, 2015.
  6. Web site: LEONARD LOPATE AT THE NEWARK MUSEUM. March 29, 2011. WNYC. September 26, 2015.
  7. Newman, Melinda (September 16, 2000). "The Beat". Billboard. p. 18. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  8. News: RIP: Ella Mitchell, Gospel Singer, Actor . 15 July 2024 . Journal of Gospel Music . 8 July 2024.