Suzzanne Douglas.Photo: John Lamparski/Getty Images
Suzzanne Douglas, a screen and stage actress best known for her starring role onThe Parent ‘Hood, has died at age 64.
Douglas’ cousin, Angie Tee, announced the actress' death Tuesday with an emotional tribute onFacebook.
“Suzzanne Douglas a beautiful and talented actress made her transition today. She warmed our hearts on movie screens and television sets all over the world. This beautiful soul was my cousin,” she wrote, posting three photos of her cousin.
“I can remember growing up, there weren’t very many black actresses who had starring roles but there was my cousin with the lead role inTapstarring alongside great dancers such as Gregory Hines and Sammy Davis Jr,” Tee said. “She also performed with Angela Bassett and Whoopi Goldberg inHow Stella Got Her Groove Back.The Inkwell,Jason’s Lyricand so much more [sic] the list goes on.”
“The world will miss your talent but your soul will live on forever Rest in Paradise my beautiful cousin Suzzane you will be missed RIP,” she concluded.
Chicago-born Douglas began her decades-long career in the early 1980s, appearing in the soap operaGuiding Light. She later starred on Broadway and in several shows and films including Sondheim’sInto the Woods,Tap,School of Rock,How Stella Got Her Groove Back,Law and Order: Criminal Intent,The Good Wife,Bones, and more.
For 1989’sTap, Douglas won the NAACP Image Award for outstanding supporting actress in a film. She is most known for her role as matriarch Jerri Peterson in The WB sitcomThe Parent ‘Hood, which ran from 1995 to 1999. She most recently played Grace Cuffee in Netflix’sWhen They See Us, which premiered in 2019.
DirectorAva DuVernay,who worked alongside Douglas inWhen They See Us, shared her condolences alongside a clip from the film, calling the star an “elegant force.”
“Suzzanne Douglas was a quiet, elegant force as we made WHEN THEY SEE US. A gentlewoman. A gem of a lady. A confident, caring actor who breathed life into the words and made them shimmer. I’m grateful that our paths in this life crossed. May she journey on in peace and love,” she wrote on Twitter Wednesday.
Jada Pinkett Smithalso shared her thoughts, reflecting on her time working with the actress. “I woke up this morning to the news that Suzzanne Douglas has passed away. I worked with Suzzanne in the filmInkwell. She was an elegant, gentle warm spirit. My deepest condolences to her family and loved ones. May she rest in love,” she wrote on Twitter.
ActressSheryl Lee Ralphtweeted that Douglas had"a life well lived."
“RIP Soror,” sheaddedin a second message.
source: people.com
