Melba Moore


Biography

Although best known as a pop/R&B singer, Melba Moore is also an accomplished actress with many screen credits to her name. Raised in New York City by parents who were professional musicians, Moore followed in their footsteps, initially appearing in stage musicals, first in the original Broadway cast of "Hair" and then in the 1970 production of "Purlie," a role that garnered her a Tony Aw...

Biography

Although best known as a pop/R&B singer, Melba Moore is also an accomplished actress with many screen credits to her name. Raised in New York City by parents who were professional musicians, Moore followed in their footsteps, initially appearing in stage musicals, first in the original Broadway cast of "Hair" and then in the 1970 production of "Purlie," a role that garnered her a Tony Award. Moore went on to a recording career, but also began appearing in films and on television, starring in a feature adaptation of the musical "Lost in the Stars" in 1974. During the '70s, Moore was a regular performer on the talk-show circuit and briefly co-hosted a variety show with then-boyfriend Clifton Davis. In the following decade, she reprised her "Purlie" role for a made-for-TV version of the musical, and appeared on numerous popular series of the era, including "The Love Boat" and "Hotel." In 1986, Moore starred in her own sitcom "Melba," but the show was canceled after a handful of episodes, and she moved on to a guest stint on the popular prime-time soap "Falcon Crest." Not long after a one-off appearance on "The Cosby Show" and a voice role in the animated film "All Dogs Go to Heaven," Moore effectively retired from screen acting, but she returned briefly in a supporting part in the 2003 musical comedy "The Fighting Temptations," featuring the star vocalist of a younger generation, Beyoncé Knowles.

Filmography

 

Cast (Feature Film)

The Fighting Temptations (2003)
The Life and Times of Charlie Putz (1991)
Def By Temptation (1990)
All Dogs Go to Heaven (1989)
Voice
Flamingo Road (1980)
Hair (1979)
Lost in the Stars (1974)
Irina
The Sidelong Glances of a Pigeon Kicker (1970)
Model at party

Music (Feature Film)

The Fighting Temptations (2003)
Song Performer
Maelstrom (2000)
Song Performer ("Good Morning Starshine")
Def By Temptation (1990)
Song Performer
All Dogs Go to Heaven (1989)
Song Performer
Space Riders (1983)
Song Performer
Bad Boys (1983)
Song
A Sensitive, Passionate Man (1977)
Song Performer

Cast (Special)

The Trumpet Awards (2002)
Performer
The Trumpet Awards (2001)
Performer
19th Annual Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame (1992)
Performer
The Essence Awards (1992)
Performer
Gladys Knight's Holiday Family Reunion Concert (1991)
Earth '90: Children and the Environment (1990)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (1989)
The 10th Annual American Black Achievement Awards (1989)
Performer
Christmas With the Stars: An International Earthquake Benefit (1989)
The 1987 Miss America Pageant (1987)
Judge
Christmas With Flicka (1987)
The 59th Annual Academy Awards Presentation (1987)
Performer
Seasonal Differences (1987)
Ms Varady
The Adventures of a Two-Minute Werewolf (1985)
Ms Lopez
How to Be a Man (1985)
CBS' HAPPY NEW YEAR AMERICA (1985)
Performer
The Night of 100 Stars II (1985)
Charlotte Forten's Mission: Experiment in Freedom (1985)
Broadway Plays Washington! (1982)
The All-Time American Songbook (1982)
Doug Henning's World of Magic (1980)
Guest
The Beatrice Arthur Special (1980)
Opryland U.S.A. (1973)

Music (Special)

The Trumpet Awards (2001)
Song Performer
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (1989)
Song Performer
Christmas With Flicka (1987)
Song Performer ("Rise Up, Shepherd, And Follow")
The All-Time American Songbook (1982)
Song Performer

Cast (TV Mini-Series)

Mother's Day (1989)
Ellis Island (1984)
Flora Mitchum

Music (TV Mini-Series)

Race to Freedom: The Underground Railroad (1994)
Song Performer
Ellis Island (1984)
Song Performer

Life Events

Bibliography