Beatrice Winde (born Beatrice Lucille Williams; January 5, 1924 – January 3, 2004) was an American actress. Her work as a character actor, and a singer, in theatrical, television, and film roles, spanned several decades.
Life and career
Winde was born in Chicago, Illinois. She graduated from the Chicago Music Conservatory as a voice student and continued her voice studies briefly at the Yale University School of Music and at Juilliard.
Winde appeared on Broadway in the 1971 Melvin Van Peebles musical Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death, which won her the Theatre World Award and a Tony Award nomination. Winde's screen appearances include Oliver's Story and Jefferson in Paris and television credits include The Sopranos and Law & Order.
She died of cancer on January 3, 2004, two days before her 80th birthday.
Awards
Audelco Award for Best Supporting Actress (A Lesson Before Dying, staged by the Signature Theater Company - 2001 Living Legend Award from the National Black Theater - 1997 Joseph Jefferson Award for Actress in a Cameo Role (The Young Man from Atlanta, Goodman Theatre, Chicago) - 1997
Filmography
Film
The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (1974) — Lena
The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974) — Mrs. Jenkins
The Gambler (1974) — Hospital Receptionist
Mandingo (1975) — Lucy
Sparkle (1976) — Mrs. Waters
Oliver's Story (1978) — Waltereen
Rich Kids (1979) — Corine
Hide in Plain Sight (1980) — Unemployment Clerk
From the Hip (1987) — 2nd Judge
Stars and Bars (1988) — Alma-May
The Ambulance (1990) — Head Nurse
A Rage in Harlem (1991) — Clerk
The Super (1991) — Leotha
Malcolm X (1992) — Elderly Woman
The Last Good Time (1994) — Nurse Westman
It Could Happen to You (1994) — Judge
Jefferson in Paris (1995) — Mary Hemings
Dangerous Minds (1995) — Mary Benton
Lone Star (1996) — Minnie Bledsoe
She's the One (1996) — Older Woman
Clover (1997) — Aunt Katie
The Real Blonde (1997) — Wilma
Simon Birch (1998) — Hilde Grove
Mickey Blue Eyes (1999) — Mrs. Horton, Michael's Neighbor
The Hurricane (1999) — Louise Cockersham
Television
American Playhouse; 1 episode (1982) — Tee
Spenser: For Hire; 1 episode (1987) — Delia Johnson
A Man Called Hawk; 1 episode (1989) — Mother Superior
Law & Order; 4 episodes (1991-2001) — Jackson's grandmother / Corina Roberts / Sarah De Witt / Miss Perry (final appearance) The Cosby Show; 1 episode (1992) NYPD Blue; 1 episode (1995) — Gladys Denton The Sopranos; 1 episode (2000) — Funeral Guest
References
External links
1924 births
2004 deaths
20th-century African-American women singers
Actresses from Chicago
African-American actresses
American film actresses
American stage actresses
American television actresses
Deaths from cancer in New York (state) Juilliard School alumni Yale School of Music alumni 20th-century American actresses 21st-century American women