Ernestine Jackson facts for kids

Ernestine Jackson was born on September 18, 1942. She is an American actress and singer. She has performed in many plays, movies, and TV shows.

Early Life and First Steps on Broadway

Ernestine Jackson was born in Corpus Christi, Texas. She started her acting career on Broadway, which is a famous theater district in New York City. Her first Broadway show was in 1967. It was called Hello, Dolly!. She played the character Irene Molloy. In this show, all the actors were Black, and the famous singer Pearl Bailey was the star.

A Career Full of Stage Success

Ernestine Jackson became very well-known for her stage work. In 1973, she created the role of Ruth Younger in the musical Raisin. Her amazing performance won her the Theatre World Award. She was also nominated for a Tony Award, which is a very important award for theater actors.

She performed in other Broadway shows too. These included Applause and The Bacchae. In 1976, she was in a new version of Guys and Dolls. This show also had an all-Black cast. For her role, she was nominated for another Tony Award. She also received a Drama Desk Award nomination.

Ernestine Jackson also appeared in older musicals. She was in a 1966 show called Show Boat. In 1967, she performed in Finian's Rainbow.

Playing Real-Life Legends

Ernestine Jackson has played several famous real-life singers on stage. In 1997, she played Alberta Hunter in a show called Cookin' at the Cookery. This show was a musical story about Alberta Hunter's life and music. It traveled to many places across the United States.

In 2005, she played Billie Holiday in a play called Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill. Critics said she did a great job of showing Billie Holiday's spirit. They noted how well she handled the jazz music. In 2007, she played another famous entertainer, Ethel Waters. This play was called Ethel Waters: His Eye is On the Sparrow.

Ernestine Jackson on Screen

Besides her stage work, Ernestine Jackson has also appeared in movies and on television. Her films include The Bonfire of the Vanities and Freedomland. She also acted in Steam and Forged.

On television, she has been in several popular shows. These include Roots: The Next Generations, Law & Order, and The West Wing. She also appeared in Law & Order: Criminal Intent.

Film and Television Appearances

Movies

Television Shows

Video Games