Minnie Gentry
About
Biography
Filmography
Family & Companions
Biography
Durable African-American actor who began in segregated, all-black theater at an early age, and well over half a century later was still racking up credits in features like "The Bad Lieutenant" (1992). For many years Gentry worked primarily on the stage, in plays ranging from "Lysistrata" and "Medea" to a revival of "A Raisin in the Sun." Feature film work did not begin until late middle age, but Gentry made her dignified, charming and strong presence visible in a number of media in the years that followed. For many she is probably best for her touching work as Great Aunt Gramtee, a recurring role she played during the 1989-90 season on the hit sitcom, "The Cosby Show."
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Life Events
1946
Appeared on Broadway in a production of "Lysistrata" with Sidney Poitier
1961
Returned to the Karamu Playhouse; continued performing with them until 1961
1971
First notable feature film role, recreating the part she had played onstage in "Georgia, Georgia"
1971
Received acclaim when she played Lena Younger in an off-Broadway revival of "A Raisin in the Sun"
1992
Last TV appearance, on a episode of the short-lived comedy series, "Here and Now"
1992
Last feature film role, in "The Bad Lieutenant"
Family
Companions
