Suzzanne Douglas, a veteran actress with 4 a long time of stage and display screen work to her credit score, has died. She was 64.
The “When They See Us” star’s explanation for loss of life has not been formally introduced, however Douglas revealed in January that “two life threatening cancers” had modified her world.
“Don’t let poor well being interrupt your function,” she posted on Fb on the time. “God’s mission and plan for our lives takes our being dedicated to our thoughts, physique and soul.”
Her passing was confirmed by her household Tuesday night time: “Suzzanne Douglas a ravishing and proficient actress made her transition at the moment,” her cousin Angie Tee stated. “She warmed our hearts on film screens and tv units everywhere in the world. This lovely soul was my cousin.”
Douglas was born in Chicago and raised in public housing, together with three siblings, by her single mom, Essence reported. She developed a ardour for the humanities at a younger age, and earned a bachelor’s diploma from Illinois State College, in addition to a grasp’s in music from the Manhattan College of Music.
She appeared in top-flight Broadway productions — Sondheim’s “Into the Woods,” Brecht-Weill’s “Threepenny Opera” and “The Faucet Dance Child” — all through the Eighties earlier than segueing into movies and tv full time.
Douglas would finally blossom into a gradual, swish presence in scores of memorable movies, from star-studded mainstream hits to indie cult classics. You won’t know her title — however chances are high you realize her work.
“I can keep in mind rising up, there weren’t very many black actresses who had starring roles — however there was my cousin with the lead position in ‘Faucet’ starring alongside nice dancers akin to Gregory Hines and Sammy Davis Jr.,” Tee stated in her emotional social media homage. “She additionally carried out with Angela Bassett and Whoopi Goldberg in ‘How Stella Received Her Groove Again,’ ‘The Inkwell,’ ‘Jason’s Lyric’ and a lot extra — the listing goes on. The world will miss your expertise however your soul will reside on ceaselessly. Relaxation in Paradise my lovely cousin [Suzzanne], you’ll be missed RIP.”
The actress was maybe finest generally known as matriarch Jerri Peterson on the WB sitcom “The Mum or dad ‘Hood,” through which she starred reverse Robert Townsend, 64, from 1995 to 1999.
Douglas earned an NAACP Picture Award for Excellent Supporting Actress in a Movement Image for 1989’s “Faucet,” occurring to star in a string of high-profile movies together with the 2003 hit “College of Rock.” In 2015, she portrayed gospel legend Cissy Houston in a Whitney Houston biopic — directed by her “How Stella Received Her Groove Again” co-star Angela Bassett — on the Lifetime community.
She additionally was a frequent visitor star on high TV sequence, together with “Bull,” “Bones,” “The Good Spouse,” “Legislation & Order: Legal Intent,” “NYPD Blue” and plenty of extra.
She most lately appeared within the acclaimed 2019 Netflix miniseries “When They See Us,” which earned two Emmy Awards and 16 nominations.
Her buddy Stephanie Perry Moore, a author and TV producer, additionally paid homage on Fb, writing: “I received to face beside greatness. [Suzzanne] Douglas Cobb, I like you expensive girl. Thanks for at all times checking on me and for displaying me class and beauty strolling. I’ve received a heavy coronary heart, however I’m blessed to be part of the legacy you touched. I’m higher as a result of I knew you.
“Heaven is richer.”
Douglas is survived by her husband, neuro-radiologist Roy Jonathan Cobb, and their daughter, Jordan.
