Mary Alice was an American actress who is best known for her roles in The Matrix Revolutions, Awakenings, and Malcolm X. She had a significant impact on both stage and screen during her career.
Personal and Family Life
Mary Alice was born on December 3, 1936, in Indianola, Mississippi. She had no children and was the daughter of Ozelar Jurnakin Smith and Sam Smith. Before pursuing acting, she worked as an elementary school teacher.
Career Highlights
She won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Featured Role in 1987 for “Fences,” written by August Wilson. Additionally, she received an Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her work in “I’ll Fly Away” in 1993. Mary Alice retired from acting in 2005 but left a lasting legacy in theatre and television.
Death and Legacy
Mary Alice passed away on July 27, 2022, in Manhattan, New York City, due to natural causes. In accordance with her wishes, she was buried alongside her siblings at Oak Wood Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois. Her contributions to the arts continue to be celebrated and remembered by many.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Matrix Revolutions | 2003-11-05 | The Oracle |
| Awakenings | 1990-12-04 | Nurse Margaret |
| Bed of Roses | 1996-01-26 | Alice |
| Sparkle | 1976-04-07 | Effie |
| A Perfect World | 1993-11-24 | Lottie |
| The Education of Sonny Carson | 1974-07-17 | Moms |
| Down in the Delta | 1998-12-25 | Rosa Lynn Sinclair |
| The Women of Brewster Place | 1989-03-19 | Fannie Michael |
| The Vernon Johns Story | 1994-01-15 | Altona |
| To Sleep with Anger | 1990-10-12 | Suzie |
| Malcolm X | 1992-11-18 | School Teacher |
| I’ll Fly Away | 1991-10-07 | Marguerite Peck |
| Good Times | 1974-02-08 | |
| Touched by an Angel | 1994-09-21 | Georgia Bishop |