Mother Vivian Ayers is a Pulitzer Prize-nominated poet
Debuted on Broadway as a Munchkin in the original 1975 production of The Wiz; remained a cast member for three years
Released the album Josephine Superstar in 1978, a disco-themed telling of the life of black actress and performer Josephine Baker
First TV role came in 1983 when she joined the cast of the ABC soap One Life to Live
Married her third husband, sports commentator Ahmad Rashad, in 1985, after he memorably proposed to her on national TV during coverage of a Thanksgiving Day football game
O
J
Simpson served as best man
Was the first black woman to win a Tony for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play (the 2004 revival of A Raisin in the Sun)
Awards
2020Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series:nominated
2019Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series:winner
2008Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries:nominated
2008Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie:nominated
2001American Film Institute-Best Female Actor in a Television Movie or Mini-Series:nominated
1989People's Choice Awards-Favorite Female TV Performer:winner
1986Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series:nominated
1985Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series:nominated
1985People's Choice Awards-Favorite Female Performer in a New TV Program:winner