Roxie Roker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Roxie Roker
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Roker in 1976.
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| Born |
Roxie Albertha Roker
August 28, 1929 Miami, Florida, U.S.
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| Died | December 2, 1995 (aged 66) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Alma mater | Howard University |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1974–1995 |
| Spouse(s) |
Sy Kravitz
(m. 1962; div. 1985) |
| Children | Lenny Kravitz |
| Family |
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Roxie Albertha Roker (born August 28, 1929 – died December 2, 1995) was an American actress. She is best known for playing Helen Willis on the TV show The Jeffersons from 1975 to 1985. Her character was part of the first mixed-race couple shown regularly on prime-time television. Roxie Roker was also the mother of famous rock musician Lenny Kravitz and the grandmother of actress Zoë Kravitz.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Roxie Roker was born in Miami, Florida. Her mother, Bessie Roker, was from Georgia. Her father, Albert Roker, was from Andros in The Bahamas. Roxie grew up in Brooklyn, New York City.
She attended Howard University, a well-known university. She studied there and later became a successful actress.
A Career in Acting and TV
Roxie Roker started her acting journey on stage. She worked with the Negro Ensemble Company, a theater group that focused on Black stories and actors. She became a very successful stage actress.
In 1974, she won an Obie Award for her acting. She was also nominated for a Tony Award, which is a very important award for theater actors. This was for her role as Mattie Williams in the play The River Niger.
Before her big TV role, Roxie Roker also worked in news. She was a reporter for WNEW-TV in New York in the 1970s. She even hosted her own show called Inside Bed-Stuy. This show talked about important events in the Brooklyn neighborhood.
Breaking Barriers on The Jeffersons
Roxie Roker became famous for her role as Helen Willis on the TV show The Jeffersons. This show was very important because it showed a mixed-race married couple. Helen Willis, played by Roxie, was married to Tom Willis, played by actor Franklin Cover. This was a big step forward for television. It helped break down social barriers by showing a Black woman and a white man as a regular couple on prime-time TV.
Roxie Roker also appeared in many other TV shows. These included Punky Brewster, Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, A Different World, and Murder, She Wrote. She also had roles in the TV miniseries Roots and the movie Claudine.
Beyond acting, Roxie Roker was a champion for children. The city of Los Angeles recognized her for her important community work.
Family Life
Roxie Roker married Sy Kravitz in 1962. He was a television producer. Just like her character Helen Willis on The Jeffersons, Roxie Roker was in a mixed-race marriage. Her husband was white.
Roxie and Sy had one son, Lenny Kravitz. He was born on May 26, 1964, and grew up to be a very famous singer, songwriter, and actor. Roxie and Sy divorced in 1985.
You might know another famous person related to Roxie Roker: weather anchor Al Roker. He and Roxie Roker were second cousins once removed.
Later Years and Passing
Roxie Roker passed away in Los Angeles, California, on December 2, 1995. She was 66 years old. Her death was caused by breast cancer.
Images for kids
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Roxie Roker in 1976.
See also
In Spanish: Roxie Roker para niños
