Rosetta LeNoire was an American actress best known for her roles in Family Matters, Brewster’s Millions, and Moscow on the Hudson. She had a significant impact on theater and television, with a career spanning many decades.
Personal and Family Life
Born Rosetta Olive Burton on August 8, 1911, in New York City, LeNoire was the goddaughter of famous tap dancer Bill Robinson. She had three siblings and one child, William. She was married twice, first to William LeNoire and then to Egbert Fitzgerald Brown, with whom she shared a life until his passing in 1973.
Career Highlights
LeNoire’s career began early, and she was known for her work in the groundbreaking all-black version of Macbeth directed by Orson Welles in the 1930s. In later years, she became famous for her role as Estelle ‘Mother’ Winslow on the television series Family Matters. Her contributions to the arts were recognized when she was awarded the National Medal of the Arts in 1999 by former president Bill Clinton.
Death and Legacy
Rosetta LeNoire passed away on March 17, 2002, in Teaneck, New Jersey, due to complications from diabetes. Her legacy lives on through her impactful performances on stage and screen, as well as her influence on the representation of Black artists in the entertainment industry.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Fritz the Cat | 1972-04-12 | Bertha / Additional Female Crows (voice) |
| The Sunshine Boys | 1975-11-06 | Odessa, Willy’s nurse |
| Curtain Call | 2000-06-13 | |
| The Royal Family | 1977-11-09 | Della |
| Moscow on the Hudson | 1984-04-06 | The Judge |
| Scandalize My Name: Stories from the Blacklist | 1998-01-01 | Self |
| Anna Lucasta | 1958-11-01 | Stella |
| Big Blonde | 1980-12-01 | Nettie |
| Daniel | 1983-08-26 | Prison Matron |
| The Brother from Another Planet | 1984-09-07 | Mama |
| Mandy’s Grandmother | 1978-01-01 | Librarian |
| The Father Clements Story | 1987-12-13 | |
| You Can’t Take it With You | 1984-11-21 | Rheba |
| The Defender (Studio One) | 1957-02-25 | Mary Ellen Bailey |
| Brewster’s Millions | 1985-05-22 | Judge R. Woods |
| The Love Song of Barney Kempinski | 1968-05-10 | Woman |
| Thank You, M’am | 1977-03-25 | Mrs. Luetta Bates Washington Jones |
| Family Matters | 1989-09-22 | Estelle Winslow |
| Another World | 1964-05-04 | |
| Amen | 1986-09-27 | |
| Gimme a Break! | 1981-10-29 | |
| Tales from the Darkside | 1984-09-30 | Miss Gillis |
| Studio One | 1948-11-07 | Mary Ellen Bailey |
| Hallmark Hall of Fame | 1951-12-24 | Noah’s wife |
| The Rosie O’Donnell Show | 1996-06-10 | Self |
| Play of the Week | 1959-10-12 | |
| Great Performances | 1971-01-28 | Rheba |