Actress. She was nominated for the Tony Award in 1985 for her performance in "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom." Best remembered for portraying the role of 'Eloise "Mama" Curtis' in the 1970s comedy "That's My Mama" (1974 to 1975), she also had various notable television and movie guest appearances. Born in Emporia, Virginia, she was a member of the Helen Way Singers in the 1950s, a group who did session singing, most notably "Early In the Morning" for Buddy Holly in 1958. She was also once a backup singer for Harry Belafonte. Merritt's other credits included "The Goodbye Girl," "All That Jazz," and as Aunt Em in the film "The Wiz" in 1979. On August 7, 1977, Merritt Hines was initiated into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., as an Honorary Member. She was a very active member of the sorority, and passionately served the community with the Queens Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority until her death in 1998. She married Benjamin Hines in 1945 and the couple had 4 children.
Actress. She was nominated for the Tony Award in 1985 for her performance in "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom." Best remembered for portraying the role of 'Eloise "Mama" Curtis' in the 1970s comedy "That's My Mama" (1974 to 1975), she also had various notable television and movie guest appearances. Born in Emporia, Virginia, she was a member of the Helen Way Singers in the 1950s, a group who did session singing, most notably "Early In the Morning" for Buddy Holly in 1958. She was also once a backup singer for Harry Belafonte. Merritt's other credits included "The Goodbye Girl," "All That Jazz," and as Aunt Em in the film "The Wiz" in 1979. On August 7, 1977, Merritt Hines was initiated into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., as an Honorary Member. She was a very active member of the sorority, and passionately served the community with the Queens Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority until her death in 1998. She married Benjamin Hines in 1945 and the couple had 4 children.
Bio by: Curtis Jackson
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