| Theresa Merritt | |
| Birth Date: | 24 September 1922 |
| Birth Place: | Emporia, Virginia, U.S. |
| Death Place: | The Bronx, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation: | Actress, singer |
| Years Active: | 1969 - 1998 |
| Children: | 4 |
Theresa Merritt Hines (September 24, 1922 June 12, 1998), known professionally as Theresa Merritt, was an American actress. She is known for her role in That's My Mama (1974–1975) and for her film roles in The Wiz (1978) and Billy Madison (1995).
Born in Emporia, Virginia, Merritt appeared in many theatrical productions but gained fame later in life when she starred as Ma Rainey in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, for which she earned a Tony Award nomination,[1] and The Wiz, in which she replaced Mabel King as Evillene. She left The Wiz, citing the role's harmful effect on her voice. She then starred in the television sitcom That's My Mama.[2]
Merritt's other Broadway credits included Mule Bone (1991), Division Street (1980), Don't Play Us Cheap! (1972), The Crucible (1972), Trumpets of the Lord (1969), Golden Boy (1964), Tambourines to Glory (1963), and Carmen Jones (1943, 1945, 1947).[3] She also toured with road companies of Funny Girl, Show Boat, and South Pacific.[4]
Her most notable film roles were Aunt Em in the 1978 film version of The Wiz, Mrs. Crosby in the 1977 film adaptation of Neil Simon's The Goodbye Girl, and Juanita in the Adam Sandler comedy Billy Madison. She also appeared alongside Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton in the film adaptation of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
Merritt was married to Benjamin Hines, and they had four children. During the 34th National Convention of Delta Sigma Theta sorority in 1977, Merritt and E. Fannie Granton of Jet magazine were made honorary members.
Merritt died of skin cancer on June 12, 1998, in the New York City borough of The Bronx.[5]
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1971 | They Might Be Giants | Peggy | |
| 1977 | Proof of the Man | Maria | |
| The Goodbye Girl | Mrs. Crosby | ||
| 1978 | The Wiz | Aunt Em | |
| 1979 | The Great Santini | Arrabella Smalls | Alternative titles: The Ace The Gift of Fury |
| All That Jazz | Cast of NY / LA #4 | ||
| 1982 | The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas | Jewel | |
| 1988 | Astonished | Ida | |
| The Serpent and the Rainbow | Simone | ||
| 1989 | Zwei Frauen | Nurse Wilson | Alternative title: Silence Like Glass |
| 1991 | Voodoo Dawn | Madame Daslay | Alternative title: Strange Turf |
| 1995 | Billy Madison | Juanita | |
| 1998 | Dangerous Proposition | Grace | |
| Home Fries | Mrs. Vaughan | Final film role released posthumously | |
| Television | |||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1969 | J.T. | Mama Meley | Television movie |
| 1973 | The Furst Family of Washington | Eloise "Mama" Furst | Television movie |
| 1974–1975 | That's My Mama | Eloise "Mama" Curtis | 39 episodes |
| 1975 | Police Story | Mrs. Johnson | 1 episode |
| 1980 | NBC Special Treat | 1 episode | |
| 1983 | The Love Boat | Faye Pillips | 1 episode |
| 1984 | Concealed Enemies | Clytie Catlett | Television movie |
| 1988 | Miracle at Beekman's Place | Sarag Coleman | Television movie |
| 1997 | Law & Order | Ruth Titus | 1 episode |
| 1997 | Sesame Street | Grandma Sarah | 1 episode |
| 1998 | NYPD Blue | Bernice | 1 episode |
| Cosby | Edna Stone | 1 episode | |