Attended the real High School of Performing Arts depicted in the TV series Fame.
Best known for her stage and film triumphs opposite James Earl Jones as the
prostitute Clara Kerr who becomes his wife for a spell in The Great White Hope (1970). For
her theater performance, Marlene was honored with the Clarence Derwent,
Theatre World and NAACP Image awards.
Played Victoria Butterfield, the last maid to stand her ground to
Bea Arthur's feminist posturings during the final season (1977-1978) of
the highly popular Maude (1972) sitcom. She followed in the servile
footsteps of Esther Rolle and Hermione Baddeley.
Was quite startling as the in-your-face political revolutionary Laureen
Hobbes in the Oscar-winning film satire Network (1976).
African-American actress born and raised in New York City, primarily in
parts with strong, social themes.