Esther Rolle
Biography: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Esther Elizabeth Rolle (November 8, 1920 – November 17, 1998) was a Bahamian American actress. Rolle is best known for her role as Florida Evans, on the CBS television sitcom Maude, for two seasons (1972–1974), and its spin-off series Good Times, for five seasons (1974–77, 1978–79), for which Rolle was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Television Series Musical or Comedy in 1976. Rolle is best known for her television role as Florida Evans, the character she played on two 1970s sitcoms. The character was introduced as Maude Findlay's housekeeper on Maude, and was spun off in the show's second season into Good Times, a show about Florida's family. Rolle was nominated in 1975 for the Best Actress in a Musical/Comedy Golden Globe Award for her role in Good Times. Rolle was 19 years older than the actor (John Amos) who played her husband James Evans. The James Evans character was only added after Esther Rolle fought hard for a father figure and husband to be added to the show. Rolle had fought for the father character on the show, more relevant themes and scripts and was unhappy when the success of Jimmie Walker's character, J.J. Evans, took the show in a frivolous direction. John Amos agreed with Rolle about Walker's character and was fired from the show after the third season ended. Later on, in a stand-off with Good Times producer Norman Lear, Rolle also quit when her contract ended. Although the show continued without her for the fifth season, she returned for the show's final season. In 1979 she won an Emmy for her role in Summer of My German Soldier, a made-for-television movie. Among her guest star roles was one on The Incredible Hulk in an episode entitled "Behind the Wheel" where she played a taxicab business owner. In the 1990s, Rolle was a surprise guest on RuPaul's VH-1 talk show. Her Maude co-star Bea Arthur was the guest, and Rolle was brought out to surprise Arthur. The two had not seen each other in years, Arthur said, and embraced warmly. Rolle also appeared in a series of psychic hotline TV commercials in the 1990s. "Tell them Esther sent you," was her trademark line.
Place of Birth: Not available
Birthday: November 08, 1920
Deathday: November 17, 1998
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Known For
Driving Miss Daisy
1989-12-13
Driving Miss Daisy
Overview: The story of an old Jewish widow named Daisy Werthan and her relationship with her black chauffeur, Hoke. From an initial mere work relationship grew in 25 years a strong friendship between the two very different characters, in a time when those types of relationships were shunned.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1989-12-13
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How to Make an American Quilt
1995-10-06
How to Make an American Quilt
Overview: Soon-to-be-wed graduate student Finn Dodd develops cold feet when she suspects her fiancé is cheating on her. In order to clear her head, Finn visits her grandmother, Hy, and great aunt, Glady Joe Cleary, in Grasse, Calif. There, Finn learns that Hy and Glady Joe are members of a group of passionate quilters, and over the course of her visit she is regaled with tales of love and life by women who have collected rich experiences and much wisdom.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1995-10-06
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Cleopatra Jones
1973-07-13
Cleopatra Jones
Overview: After federal agent Cleopatra Jones orders the burning of a Turkish poppy field, the notorious drug lord Mommy vows to destroy her.
Genres: Action Crime Thriller
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1973-07-13
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Cape Fear
1991-11-13
Cape Fear
Overview: Sam Bowden is a small-town corporate attorney. Max Cady is a tattooed, cigar-smoking, Bible-quoting, psychotic rapist. What do they have in common? 14 years ago, Sam was a public defender assigned to Max Cady's rape trial, and he made a serious error: he hid a document from his illiterate client that could have gotten him acquitted. Now, the cagey Cady has been released, and he intends to teach Sam Bowden and his family a thing or two about loss.
Genres: Drama Crime Thriller
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1991-11-13
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Who Says I Can't Ride a Rainbow!
1971-11-18
Who Says I Can't Ride a Rainbow!
Overview: Barney owns the last working farm in Manhattan. For various reasons, city officials have decided to close it down. A special event is planned to raise awareness and money to keep it running.
Genres: Family Comedy Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1971-11-18
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House of Cards
1993-06-25
House of Cards
Overview: When Ruth Matthews's husband is killed in a fall at an archaeological dig, her daughter Sally handles her father's death in a very odd manner. As Sally's condition worsens, Ruth takes her to see Jake, an expert in childhood autism. Jake attempts to bring Sally out of her mental disarray through traditional therapy methods, but Ruth takes a different route. She risks her own sanity by attempting to enter her daughter's mind and make sense of the seemingly bizarre things that Sally does, including building a wondrous house of cards
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1993-06-25
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Nothing But a Man
1964-12-27
Nothing But a Man
Overview: A proud black man and his school-teacher wife face discriminatory challenges in 1960s America.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1964-12-27
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Down in the Delta
1998-12-25
Down in the Delta
Overview: A single mother plagued by alcohol and drug addictions is sent with her children from Chicago to her ancestral home in the Mississippi Delta, to live with her uncle and aunt for the summer.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1998-12-25
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See China and Die
1981-12-09
See China and Die
Overview: A maid who reads detective stories finds herself embroiled in a real life mystery involving her dead boss and a mysterious statue he brought back from China.
Genres: Horror Drama Thriller TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1981-12-09
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To Dance with the White Dog
1993-12-05
To Dance with the White Dog
Overview: When Sam Peek's beloved wife, Cora, dies, a white dog suddenly materializes as his new companion and confidant.
Genres: Drama TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1993-12-05
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Ethnic Notions
1986-12-05
Ethnic Notions
Overview: This documentary traces the deep-rooted stereotypes which have fueled anti-black prejudice.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1986-12-05
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I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
1979-04-28
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Overview: Based on writer Maya Angelou's eloquent reminiscences of her days as a gifted youngster growing up in the South during the Depression years where she and her older brother were raised by their grandmother after the divorce of their parents.
Genres: Drama TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1979-04-28
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Summer of My German Soldier
1978-10-30
Summer of My German Soldier
Overview: Patty Bergen is a teenager in a Jewish family living in the American South during World War II. Patty feels like an outcast even in her own family and is unable to understand why her father can't seem to love her. Her town eventually becomes host to a prisoner of war camp. A young German soldier escapes from this camp, and Patty finds him hiding in her secret place in the woods outside of town. After getting to know him, she ends up harboring him from his captors and, in the way of many adolescents, falls in love with him. Patty knows what she is risking by helping him, but in his company, she feels important, special, and respected as she has never been. In the end, his regard lifts her self-esteem and helps her to face the heartbreaking events to come.
Genres: TV Movie Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1978-10-30
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Age-Old Friends
1989-12-16
Age-Old Friends
Overview: John Cooper is in a retirement home. There are strict rules for the residents, but he refuses to fall into passivity. He flirts constantly with Nurse Wilson and spends time with his best buddy Michael Aylott, who's slowly drifting into senility.
Genres: TV Movie Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1989-12-16
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Message from Nam
1993-10-17
Message from Nam
Overview: Journalism Major Paxton Andrews loses the man she loves in the Vietnam War. Always having followed the beat of a different drum, she decides to work out her grief by going to Vietnam and writing a column that will hopefully help those at home better understand the War.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1993-10-17
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The Mighty Quinn
1989-02-17
The Mighty Quinn
Overview: Police chief Xavier Quinn investigates the gruesome murder of Donald Pater, one of the wealthiest residents on a Caribbean island. He was found decapitated in his Jacuzzi. Although the local political establishment, especially crooked Governor Chalk, insists that small-time thief Maubee is responsible, Xavier has his doubts. This view is complicated by the police chief's personal history with Maubee: The men have been friends since childhood.
Genres: Action Crime Drama Mystery Thriller
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1989-02-17
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Nobody's Girls: Five Women of the West
1995-05-10
Nobody's Girls: Five Women of the West
Overview: Real stories of five women of the Old West....
Genres: Documentary Western
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1995-05-10
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P.K. and the Kid
1987-01-06
P.K. and the Kid
Overview: P.K. runs away from home because her step-father keeps on harassing her sexually and her mother is ignoring the problem. She hides in the loading space of Kid Kane's pickup, who's on the way to the world championships in arm-wrestling. When he discovers her, he wants to send her home at first, but after he knows the story he takes her with him - and gets himself into big trouble: her step-father is behind them furiously, trying to kidnap her and take revenge for the stress he got from her mother.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1987-01-06
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My Fellow Americans
1996-12-20
My Fellow Americans
Overview: They used to run the country. Now they're running for their lives! Two on-the-lam former Presidents of the United States. Framed in a scandal by the current President and pursued by armed agents, the two squabbling political foes plunge into a desperately frantic search for the evidence that will establish their innocence.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1996-12-20
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Rosewood
1997-02-21
Rosewood
Overview: Spurred by a white woman's lie, vigilantes destroy a black Florida town and slay inhabitants in 1923.
Genres: Drama History Action Thriller
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1997-02-21
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Up the Down Staircase
1967-06-28
Up the Down Staircase
Overview: Sylvia, a novice schoolteacher, is hired to teach English in a high school, but she’s met with an apathetic faculty, a delinquent student body and an administration that drowns its staff in paperwork. The following days go from bad to worse as Sylvia struggles to reach her most troubled students.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1967-06-28
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Don't Play Us Cheap
1972-12-11
Don't Play Us Cheap
Overview: As an African American family and friends gather in an apartment for a house party, two mischief-making devil-bats take human form in order to break up the party.
Genres: Romance Comedy Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1972-12-11
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A Raisin in the Sun
1989-02-01
A Raisin in the Sun
Overview: A substantial insurance payment could mean either financial salvation or personal ruin for a poor black family.
Genres: Drama TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1989-02-01
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Color Adjustment
1992-01-29
Color Adjustment
Overview: From Amos 'n' Andy to Nat King Cole, from Roots to The Cosby Show, black people have played many roles on primetime television. Brilliantly weaving clips from classic TV shows with commentary from TV producers, black actors and scholars, Marlon Riggs blends humor, insight, and thoughtful analysis to explore the evolution of black/white relations as reflected by America's favorite addiction.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1992-01-29
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The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet
1982-01-01
The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet
Overview: The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet is a 1982 film adaptation of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, directed by William Woodman and starring Alex Hyde-White as Romeo and Blanche Baker as Juliet.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1982-01-01
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The Kid Who Loved Christmas
1990-12-14
The Kid Who Loved Christmas
Overview: In this sentimental holiday tale, a young boy is taken away from his loving, adoptive household when his new mom is killed in an auto accident and his traveling musician dad is deemed unfit to care for him, being on the road too much. Now, the only thing that can help is if a cold, bureaucratic adoption agency caseworker sees the error of her ways and allows them to be together.
Genres: Drama Family TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1990-12-14
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Train Ride
2005-02-17
Train Ride
Overview: Three college seniors who are thinking about nothing but graduation and going out with a bang from college, harshly discover that a culmination of four years of hard work can lead to a permanent road to perdition after they decide to experiment with the knockout "date rape" drug on a vulnerable, impressionable, and very attractive freshman girl. Events quickly become a "Train Ride" for all parties involved, and end up spiraling out of control into a roller-coaster of unpredictable, virulent events that must be seen to be believed.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2005-02-17
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