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.
Acted in 52
2000s
- 2005
Kojak
Joyce · 1 episode
- 2004
The Burly Man Chronicles
Movie
- 2003
- 2002
- 2001
The Last Brickmaker in America
Dorothy Cobb
- 2000
The Photographer
Violet
1990s
- 1999
Catfish in Black Bean Sauce
Dolores Williams
The Wishing Tree
Mattie
- 1998
Down in the Delta
Rosa Lynn Sinclair
- 1997
- 1996
- 1995
Ray Alexander: A Menu for Murder
Movie
- 1994
The Mother
Black Lady
The Inkwell
Evelyn
The Vernon Johns Story
Altona
- 1993
Laurel Avenue
Maggie Arnett · 2 episodes
- 1992
- 1991
- 1990
To Sleep with Anger
Suzie
1980s
- 1989
The Women of Brewster Place
Fannie Michael
The Women of Brewster Place
Fannie Michael · 2 episodes
- 1987
- 1986
- 1985
- 1984
The Killing Floor
Lilah Dean
- 1983
The Brass Ring
Mrs. Hauser
- 1982
1970s
- 1979
- 1976
Just an Old Sweet Song
Helen Mayfield
Sparkle
Effie
- 1974
The Education of Sonny Carson
Moms
Sty of the Blind Pig
Alberta Warren
- 1972
- 1971
1960s
- 1965
Appearances2
2000s
- 2004
The Matrix Recalibrated
Self
- 2003
What I Want My Words to Do to You
Self