Ethyl Spraggins Ayler (May 1, 1930 – November 18, 2018) was an American character actress with a career spanning over five decades.
Biography Ayler was born in Whistler, Alabama and graduated from Fisk University.
In 1957, she made her off-Broadway debut in the Langston Hughes musical, Simply Heavenly. Later that year, she debuted on Broadway in the multiple Tony Award-nominated musical, Jamaica as an understudy for Lena Horne (also making her Broadway debut).
Another notable early performance was in Jean Genet's play, The Blacks: A Clown Show, which ran off-Broadway for 1,408 performances and received three Obie Awards, including Best New Play. The impressive cast of black actors included three future Academy Award nominees: James Earl Jones, Cicely Tyson and Louis Gossett Jr.
Throughout her career, Ayler appeared frequently with the Negro Ensemble Company. This included notable performances in The First Breeze of Summer, Eden and Nevis Mountain Dew.
On television, Ayler had a recurring role as Carrie Hanks, Clair Huxtable's mother on The Cosby Show. She also made memorable performances in the films To Sleep with Anger (1990) and Eve's Bayou (1997).
For her work in To Sleep with Anger, Ayler received a nomination for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female.
Ayler's last Broadway appearance was in another Tony-nominated production, The Little Foxes, in 1997. On November 18, 2018, she died in Loma Linda, California, at the age of 88.Ethel Ayler obituary
Selected credits Theatre Year Production Role Theatre(s) Notes1997The Little FoxesAddieVivian Beaumont Theater 1987FencesBonoGabrielRose (understudy)46th Street Theatre1983Sons and Fathers of SonsSister 3Theatre Four1981Weep Not for MeLillian HendricksTheatre Four1978Nevis Mountain DewZepora PhilibertSt. Mark's Playhouse1976EdenFlorieSt. Mark's Playhouse1975The First Breeze of Summer HattieSt. Mark's PlayhouseAlso appeared in the 1976 Movie of the Week.Black Picture ShowRita (understudy)Vivian Beaumont Theater1974Les Femmes NoiresMrs. ThompsonThe Other Stage1961KwaminaNaii54th Street TheatreThe Blacks: A Clown Show Augustus SnowSt. Mark's Playhouse1960The Cool World Woman at the BeachEugene O'Neill Theatre1957JamaicaIsland WomanIslanderSavannah (understudy) Imperial TheatreSimply HeavenlyZarita85th Street Playhouse
Film Year Film Role Notes1997Eve's BayouGran Mere1992The BodyguardEmma1990To Sleep with AngerHattieIndependent Spirit Award nomination, Best Supporting Female19869½ Weeks Jewelry Saleswoman1972Come Back, Charleston BlueMatron at Ball1962Time of the HeathenMarie
References
External links
Ethel Ayler at the Internet Theatre Database