Photo by Gary Gershoff/WireImage
According to Deadline, Olivia Cole, most known for her role in Roots died at her home in San Miguel Allende, Mexico last week.
“She starred opposite Ben Vereen’s Chicken George as his wife Mathilda groundbreaking ABC 1977 miniseries Roots based on Alex Haley’s novel. The miniseries won her an Emmy for Outstanding Single Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Drama Series. She also received an Emmy nomination for her role in the aforementioned Backstairs at the White House, where she appeared as Maggie Rogers, the mother of Leslie Uggams’ Lillian Rogers Parks. The characters were real-life women who worked as maids in the White House for decades.”
4th April 1977: Actor Ben Vereen and actress Olivia Cole, leaving for Tennesse after they have been released from slavery in the television drama, ‘Roots’. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)
SANTA MONICA, CA – APRIL 14: (L-R) Actors Ben Vereen, Olivia Cole and Leslie Uggams cast members of “Roots” pose for photos before the 5th Annual TV Land Awards held at Barker Hangar on April 14, 2007 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for TV Land)
Cole reportedly died of a heart attack. She was 75. Our prayers are with her family and friends.
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