Shirley Jo Finney was an American actress and director who is best known for her roles in Lou Grant, Hey Good Lookin’, and Nuts. Born on July 14, 1949, in Merced, California, she made a significant impact in the performing arts until her passing on October 10, 2023, in Bellingham, Washington.
Personal and Family Life
Shirley Jo Finney was born to Nathaniel Finney and Ricetta Amey Finney and had a sibling, Diana Finney. She did not have children of her own. As a graduate of UCLA and an alumna of the American Film Institute’s Director Workshop for Women, she was highly educated and dedicated to her craft.
Career Highlights
Finney was not only an accomplished actress but also a noted theatre director. She worked at several prestigious venues, including the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and the Humana Festival at the Actors Theater of Louisville. Her work often focused on societal and racial themes, and she was associated with the Fountain Theater in Los Angeles starting in 1996.
Death and Legacy
Shirley Jo Finney passed away from multiple myeloma on October 10, 2023. Her contributions to theatre and film, along with her achievements, including a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award, have left a lasting legacy in the arts community.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Hey Good Lookin’ | 1982-10-01 | Chaplin (voice) |
| Nashville Girl | 1976-03-01 | Frisky |
| The River Niger | 1976-04-14 | Gail |
| Wilma | 1977-12-19 | Wilma Rudolph |
| Thornwell | 1981-01-28 | Lt. Stone |
| Echo Park | 1985-11-05 | Gloria |
| Uncle Tom’s Cabin | 1987-06-14 | Aunt Chloe |
| Laker Girls | 1990-04-03 | Brenda |
| Where I Live | 1993-03-05 | |
| Night Court | 1984-01-04 | Mrs. Williams |