Barbara Montgomery facts for kids

Barbara Montgomery is an American actress and director. She was born on June 25, 1939. She has worked in theater, television, and movies. Many people know her best for playing Cassietta Hetebrink in the TV show Amen. She was on that show from 1986 to 1990.

Barbara Montgomery's Acting Journey

Starting in Theater

Barbara Montgomery began her acting career in the 1960s. She started in Off-Off-Broadway theater groups in New York City. She was part of important groups like the Negro Ensemble Company. She also worked with the La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club. These groups helped new actors and plays get started.

In the early 1970s, Barbara starred in a play called My Sister, My Sister. She played the role of "Mama." Her performance was so good that she won an Obie Award. This award celebrates great work in Off-Broadway theater. The play later moved to Broadway, which is the highest level of theater in the U.S. Barbara continued her role there from April to August 1974.

Moving to Television

In 1986, Barbara Montgomery got a big role on TV. She joined the NBC sitcom Amen as Cassietta Hetebrink. This show was very popular. She played this character for four years. She left the series in 1990.

Later in 1990, she starred in another TV show. It was called Married People on ABC. She played a character named Olivia Williams. Barbara also appeared in many other well-known TV shows. These include A Different World, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Disneyland, and Living Single. She often played strong and memorable characters.

Becoming a Director

Barbara Montgomery is not just an actress. She is also a director. In 2013, she directed her first movie. It was a historical film called Mitote. Famous actresses like Ruby Dee and S. Epatha Merkerson starred in her film. This showed her talent behind the camera too.