Actress who starred in the sitcom That's My Mama, and played Auntie Em in the 1978 film adaptation of The Wiz.
She made her screen debut in the 1969 TV movie J.T.
She earned a Tony Award nomination for her performance in the Broadway play, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. She also appeared in the Broadway production of The Wiz.
She married Benjamin Hines and they had four children together.
She appeared with Dolly Parton in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
