Estelle Hemsley (May 5, 1887 – November 5, 1968) was a prominent African American actress of stage and screen. She appeared in the stage and screen versions of Take a Giant Step, earning a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress in the 1959 movie directed by Philip Leacock. Her other film roles include playing Grandmother Topouzoglou in Elia Kazan's 1963 movie America, America (nominated for the Oscar for Best Picture), the role of Cla-Cla in Mel Ferrer's 1959 film Green Mansions, the mother of Ruby Dee in Edge of the City (1957), and Catherine in Robert Mulligan's 1965 movie Baby the Rain Must Fall.

Estelle Hemsley
Born(1887-05-05)May 5, 1887
DiedNovember 5, 1968(1968-11-05) (aged 81)
OccupationActress
Years active1936–1966
Estelle Hemsley (left) and Alberta Perkins in the Federal Theatre Project production of The Case of Philip Lawrence (1937)

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1948 The Return of Mandy's Husband Mandy
1957 Edge of the City Mrs. Price
1959 Green Mansions Cla-Cla
1959 Take a Giant Step Grandma 'Gram' Martin
1960 The Leech Woman Old Malla
1963 America, America Grandmother Topouzoglou
1965 Baby the Rain Must Fall Catherine

References

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