
Mary Alice
Department: Acting
Biography
Mary Alice was born on December 3, 1936 in Indianola, Mississippi, USA to parents Ozelar Jurnakin (Smith) and Sam Smith. She was an actress, known for The Matrix Revolutions (2003), Awakenings (1990) and Malcolm X (1992). She taught in Elementary School before her acting career took off. When she was still a struggling actress doing stage plays, she made a living doing her castmate's laundry for a salary of $200 a week. She was a lifelong liberal Democrat, feminist, and civil rights activist. Was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 2000. She retired from acting in 2005. She died of natural causes on July 27, 2022 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA. Upon her death, she was buried with her siblings at Oak Wood Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois, in regard for her last wishes.
Known For

The Matrix Revolutions
2003

Awakenings
1990

Bed of Roses
1996

Sparkle
1976

A Perfect World
1993

The Mother
1994

The Education of Sonny Carson
1974

Down in the Delta
1998

The Women of Brewster Place
1989

The Matrix Recalibrated
2004

The Vernon Johns Story
1994

To Sleep with Anger
1990

The Brass Ring
1983

What I Want My Words to Do to You
2003

A House Divided: Denmark Vesey's Rebellion
1982

Charlotte Forten's Mission: Experiment in Freedom
1985

The Photographer
2000

Malcolm X
1992

Teachers
1984

The Inkwell
1994

The Last Brickmaker in America
2001

Joshua's World
1980

Catfish in Black Bean Sauce
1999

Beat Street
1984

Lawman Without a Gun
1979

The Wishing Tree
1999

Life with Mikey
1993

Heading Home
1995

Sty of the Blind Pig
1974

The Burly Man Chronicles
2004

Just an Old Sweet Song
1976

Sunshine State
2002

The Killing Floor
1984

Ray Alexander: A Menu for Murder
1995

The Bonfire of the Vanities
1990

A Different World
1987

Good Times
1974

Law & Order
1990

Green Acres
1965

L.A. Law
1986

Providence
1999

Touched by an Angel
1994

Oz
1997

Soul Food
2000

Sanford and Son
1972

I'll Fly Away
1991

I'll Fly Away
1991

Cosby
1996

Police Woman
1974

The Jury
2004

Kojak
2005

Laurel Avenue
1993

Great Performances
1971

Performance
1991

The Women of Brewster Place
1989