Esther Rolle Collection, Circa 1970-1999
Collection context
Summary
- Extent:
- 20 Linear Feet
- Language:
- English
- Preferred citation:
Esther Rolle Collection, African American Research Library and Cultural Center, Broward County Libraries.
Background
- Scope and content:
The Esther Rolle collection consists of photographs, awards, audio-visual, and printed materials that document the life and career of actress and dancer Esther Rolle. The collection contains materials that illustrate Esther Rolle's work in multiple films and television shows such as Good Times, P.K. and the Kid, as well as Driving Miss Daisy. The collection includes multiple awards commemorating her achievements, including the NAACP Eighth Image Award (statuette) for Best Actress In A Series (1974), the 20th Annual NAACP Image Awards 1987 Hall of Fame Award (statuette), the NAACP Image Award (statuette) 1973 Best T.V. Actress Series, and the 1978-1979 Emmy Award (statuette) for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or a Special – Summer of My German Soldier, October 30, 1978 – NBC.
- Biographical / historical:
Esther Rolle (1920-1998) was born in Pompano Beach, Florida to Bahamian parents Jonathan Rolle and Elizabeth Dames Rolle on November 8, 1920. Rolle was one of eighteen children. As a child, Rolle, along with her siblings, performed plays for churches and schools throughout Florida. She attended Booker T. Washington high school in Miami Beach, Florida and upon graduation attended Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Hunter College in New York City, New York. While in New York City, Rolle worked on the stage performing in theatrical productions on and off Broadway and became a member of the Negro Ensemble Company, a New York City based theater and workshop company. In 1955, she married Oscar Robinson, whom she divorced in 1975. Esther Rolle is known for her role as Florida Evans in the sitcoms Maude and Good Times. She also appeared in film, television and theatrical productions, including I know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1979), Cleopatra Jones (1973), the 1989 PBS televised play A Raisin in the Sun, Driving Miss Daisy (1989), How to Make an American Quilt (1995), Rosewood (1997), Down in the Delta (1998) and Train Ride (2000). Rolle won an Emmy Award for her supporting role as Ruth, in Summer of My German Soldier (1979). She also received other awards including an Image Award from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1974 for best actress in a comedy for her work in Good Times. In 1987 she was inducted into the NAACP Hall of Fame and was the first woman to be honored with the NAACP Chairman's Civil Rights Leadership Award in 1990. Esther Rolle died on November 17, 1998 in Los Angeles, CA.
- Acquisition information:
- Kenneth and Janice Rolle donated the materials to the AARLCC Special Collections on December 15, 2005 (Accession AARLCC-2005.2). Jet magazine dated Sept. 1978 and Playbill: The Member of the Wedding, Roundabout Thatre Company, March, 1989, were purchased via vendor.
- Arrangement:
The collection is arranged into four series: Series I. Photographs, Series II. Awards, Series III. Personal Papers, and Series IV. Printed Materials.
Indexed terms
Access and use
- Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
- Preferred citation:
Esther Rolle Collection, African American Research Library and Cultural Center, Broward County Libraries.
- Location of this collection:
-
African American Research Library and Cultural Center, Broward County Library2650 Sistrunk BoulevardFort LauderdaleFL33311USA
