
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.
Kojak
2005
The Jury
2004
Sunshine State
2002
Soul Food
2000
The Photographer
2000
Providence
1999
The Wishing Tree
1999
Oz
1997
Cosby
1996
Bed of Roses
1996
Heading Home
1995
The Mother
1994
The Inkwell
1994
A Perfect World
1993
Laurel Avenue
1993
Life with Mikey
1993
Malcolm X
1992
I'll Fly Away
1991
Performance
1991
Awakenings
1990
Law & Order
1990
L.A. Law
1986
Teachers
1984
Beat Street
1984
The Brass Ring
1983
Sparkle
1976
Police Woman
1974
Good Times
1974
Sanford and Son
1972
Green Acres
1965




















































