Leila Danette facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leila Danette
|
|
|---|---|
| Born | August 23, 1909 Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
|
| Died | September 4, 2012 (aged 103) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1976–2003 |
Leila Danette (born August 23, 1909 – died September 4, 2012) was an American actress. She was known for her work on stage, in movies, and on TV. Many people remember her as Helen from the TV show You Take the Kids. She lived to be 103 years old!
Contents
About Leila Danette
Her Early Life and Teaching Career
Leila Danette was born in Jacksonville, Florida. She went to college at both Morgan State University and Howard University. Before she became an actress, she worked as a teacher. She taught elementary school in Baltimore. She also taught speech to students in Washington, D.C..
Becoming an Actress
Leila Danette started acting professionally when she was 67 years old. One of her first big roles was in a play called The Great White Hope. She acted alongside the famous actor James Earl Jones. In 1982, she was praised for her acting in a play called The Brothers. A theater critic once said she was a "Broadway veteran" and made her roles feel very real.
Her Work in Film and TV
Besides her stage roles, Leila Danette also appeared in several movies. These included The First Deadly Sin (1980) and Garbo Talks (1984). She also had guest roles on popular TV shows. Some of these shows were A Different World, The Cosby Show, Law & Order, and Third Watch.
Film and Television Roles
Leila Danette appeared in many films and TV shows throughout her career. Here is a list of some of her notable roles:
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1980 | The First Deadly Sin | Woman on Step #1 | |
| 1982 | Benny's Place | Role Unknown | |
| 1984 | Death Mask | Della | |
| Garbo Talks | Augusta | ||
| 1986 | Power | Poor Woman | |
| 1987 | The Rosary Murders | Mrs. Washington | |
| 1988 | Running on Empty | Maid | |
| 1997 | White Lies | Woman #2 in Window | |
| 2003 | Pieces of April | Woman in Stairwell | |
| Television | |||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1988 | A Different World | Mrs. Pruitt | Episode: "A Stepping Stone" |
| 1990–1991 | You Take the Kids | Helen | 6 episodes |
| 1992 | The Cosby Show | Mrs. Whittaker | Episode: "The Price is Wrong" |
| 1995 | New York Undercover | Mae Helen | Episode: "Private Enemy No. 1" |
| 1994–2001 | Law & Order | Various roles | 4 episodes |
| 2003 | Third Watch | Lucinda | Episode: "A Ticket Grows in Brooklyn" |
