Virginia Capers facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Virginia Capers
Born	Eliza Capers (1925-09-22)September 22, 1925 Sumter, South Carolina, U.S.
Died	May 6, 2004(2004-05-06) (aged 78) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1957–2003
Children	1

Eliza "Virginia" Capers (born September 22, 1925 – died May 6, 2004) was an American actress. She was famous for her work on stage, in movies, and on television. In 1974, she won a special award called the Tony Award for Best Lead Actress in a Musical. She earned this award for her amazing performance as Lena Younger in a musical called Raisin. This musical was based on a famous play by Lorraine Hansberry called A Raisin in the Sun.

Virginia Capers' Acting Journey

Virginia Capers started her acting career on Broadway, which is the biggest stage for plays in New York City. Her first Broadway show was the musical Jamaica in 1957. She took over the role of Grandma Obeah.

On Stage and Screen

After Jamaica, Virginia Capers continued to perform in other musicals like Saratoga and the award-winning Raisin.

She also became a familiar face on television. Many people remember her as Hattie Banks on the popular show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. She appeared in many other TV shows, including The Waltons, Mork & Mindy, Highway to Heaven, The Golden Girls, and ER.

Virginia Capers also acted in several movies. Some of her well-known films include Lady Sings the Blues (1972), The Toy (1982), Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986), and Beethoven's 2nd (1993).

Beyond Acting: Supporting Artists

Virginia Capers was not just an actress. She also helped other African-American performers. She started a theater group in Los Angeles called the Lafayette Players. This group gave African-American actors a chance to perform in many different plays.

She received several important awards for her contributions to theater. These include the National Black Theatre Festival Living Legend Award, the Paul Robeson Pioneer Award, and the NAACP Image Award for her excellent work in theater.

Voice Acting in Video Games

In 1993, Virginia Capers used her voice for a video game called Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers. She was the narrator, telling the story as players went on an adventure. Her voice acting was so good that she won an award for Best Female Voice-Over Acting from Computer Gaming World magazine. The editors were very impressed by her performance.

Later Years and Legacy

Virginia Capers passed away on May 6, 2004, in Los Angeles, California. She was 78 years old and died from problems related to pneumonia. Her work on stage, television, and in movies left a lasting mark on the entertainment world.

Film and Television Appearances

Here is a list of some of the films and television shows Virginia Capers appeared in:

Video Game Appearances