![]() Filmography YearĮpisode: "Roscoe, Elizabeth, and the M.C."Įpisode: "The Kleptomaniac/Thank God, I'm a Country Girl" Roker died in Los Angeles, California, on Decemof breast cancer. Weather anchor Al Roker and Roxie Roker were second cousins once removed. The couple had a son, singer-songwriter and actor Lenny Kravitz (born May 26, 1964), and divorced in 1985. Like her Jeffersons character Helen Willis, Roker had an interracial marriage to a white man. Roker was married to television producer Sy Kravitz in 1962. Roker was also a children’s advocate who was cited by the city of Los Angeles for her community work. She had roles in the television miniseries Roots and in the movie Claudine. Cooper, A Different World, Murder, She Wrote, The Love Boat, $weepstake$, 227, Beat the Clock, Fantasy Island, and ABC Afterschool Specials. She appeared in guest starring roles on many other United States television shows from the 1970s through the 1990s, including "Stone in the River" starring Hal Miller for NBC, Punky Brewster, Hangin' with Mr. Roker portrayed Helen Willis on The Jeffersons, breaking social barriers by becoming one half of the first Caucasian-African-American married couple (along with actor Franklin Cover) as regular cast member on prime-time TV. She was a reporter on WNEW-TV in New York in the 1970s and hosted a public affairs show for the station known as Inside Bed-Stuy, dealing with events in the Brooklyn neighborhood. She won an Obie Award in 1974 and was nominated for a Tony Award for her portrayal of Mattie Williams in The River Niger. She began her professional career with the Negro Ensemble Company and became a successful stage actress. Roker toured with the Howard Players for performances in Norway in 1949 a trip sponsored by the United States Department of State which was supported by Eleanor Roosevelt. Some of her fellow drama students at Howard included novelist Toni Morrison, actress Zaida Coles, stage director and playwright Shauneille Perry, and actor Graham Brown all of whom were members of the university's theatre troupe, the Howard Players. Roker studied drama at Howard University where she was a pupil of celebrated drama teachers Anne Cooke Reid and Owen Dodson. Her father, Albert Roker, was a porter and a native of Andros, The Bahamas. Her mother, Bessie Roker (née Mitchell), was from Georgia and worked as a domestic. Roker is the mother of rock musician Lenny Kravitz and paternal grandmother of actress Zoë Kravitz. He also shared that the news of her passing brought him to his knees because he felt the urge to watch one of her movies right before he was notified that she was no longer with us.Roxie Albertha Roker (Aug– December 2, 1995) was an American actress who portrayed Helen Willis on the CBS sitcom The Jeffersons (1975–1985), half of the first interracial couple to be shown on regular prime time television. In the video, viewers got to witness Perry and Tyson’s playful relationship and the unveiling of Cicely’s sound stage at Tyler Perry’s movie studio. Meanwhile, Tyler Perry shared a beautifully prepared video of his and Tyson’s friendship that started 16 years ago. You did it all exquisitely #CicelyTyson.’ I can hear Godmother saying “ok, now y’all can read about it, I’m going home”. She did it all, wrote the book, and then God called her. She had just sent me her book that has been sitting on my nightstand where it will remain. We spoke just a few nights ago and talked about everything. Our phone calls went on sometimes for hours. She came to my shows, came over for holidays, met me for dinners, stayed with me in Paris when I first moved there, and never let me too far out of her sight. She always gave me unconditional support. And after my mother passed, Godmother’s role in my life was amplified. The musician went on to say: ‘She and my mother were kindred spirits. As long as I have had consciousness, I’ve known Godmother.’ The love between us was and is tremendous. A Black queen who showed us how beautiful black is. A true pioneer, who bared her heart and soul so we could witness the spirit of the characters she so brilliantly portrayed, which continue to move and inspire generations. She lived a remarkable life up to the last moment. ‘ With inimitable style and grace, my dear Godmother Miss Cicely Tyson made her grand exit to the heavens. He took to Instagram to reflect on having the woman in his life for so many years alongside multiple beautiful pictures of them together. They kept their sacred bond until Cicely’s death. His mother and Cicely were best friends until Lenny’s mother passed. Lenny was the godson of the award-winning actress. ![]() The tributes have been pouring in since the announcement of her death last week but none have been more touching that Lenny Kravitz and Tyler Perry‘s. The year is starting off by losing yet another icon with the passing of groundbreaking actress Cicely Tyson. ![]()
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