Olivia Cole was an American actress who is best known for her roles in Roots, Backstairs at the White House, and Something About Amelia. Born on November 26, 1942, in Memphis, Tennessee, she gained recognition for being the first African American actress to win an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Television Movie.
Personal and Family Life
Olivia Cole was married to actor Richard Venture from June 19, 1971, until their divorce on May 1, 1984. She attended Hunter College High School, Bard College, and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. Throughout her career, she was also an honorary member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Death and Legacy
Olivia Cole passed away on January 19, 2018, from a heart attack in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico. Her death came only 31 days after that of her ex-husband, Richard Venture. Cole is remembered for her significant contributions to the television and film industry, paving the way for future African American actresses.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Women of Brewster Place | 1989-03-19 | Miss Sophie |
| Something About Amelia | 1984-01-09 | Ruth Walters |
| Go Tell It on the Mountain | 1985-01-14 | Elizabeth |
| Children of Divorce | 1980-11-24 | Betty Williams |
| Coming Home | 1978-02-15 | Corrine |
| Some Kind of Hero | 1982-04-02 | Jesse |
| Mistress of Paradise | 1981-10-04 | Victorine |
| The Sky Is Gray | 1980-01-01 | Octavia |
| First Sunday | 2008-01-11 | Momma T |
| Heroes | 1977-11-04 | Jane Adcox |
| Fly Away Home | 1981-09-18 | Sarah Brookford |
| Big Shots | 1987-10-02 | Mrs. Newton |
| Murder, She Wrote | 1984-09-30 | Melinda Coop |
| Christy | 1994-04-03 | |
| Roots | 1977-01-23 | Mathilda |
| Brewster Place | 1990-05-01 | Miss Sophie |
| Report to Murphy | 1982-04-05 | |
| Szysznyk | 1977-08-01 | |
| L.A. Law | 1986-09-15 | Judge Julie McFarlane |
| Backstairs at the White House | 1979-01-29 | Maggie Rogers |
| Police Woman | 1974-09-13 | |
| Rafferty | 1977-09-05 | |
| Murder, She Wrote | 1984-09-30 | Callie Coleman |
| Murder, She Wrote | 1984-09-30 | Yvette Dauphin |
| North and South | 1985-11-03 | Maum Sally |