Dorothi Fox (January 8, 1930 – March 29, 2026) was an American actress who starred in television, film and on stage. Born in New York City, she started her career in African-American theatre before moving to the big screen in the 1970s appearing in blaxploitation films such as Come Back, Charleston Blue (1972) and The Wiz (1978) as well as the comedy Bananas (1971) and the political thriller Three Days of the Condor (1975). Her career continued into the 21st century with roles in television productions including the Onion News Network.
Early life Fox was born on January 8, 1930, and she hailed from the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan.
Career Fox began her career with the Negro Ensemble Company (NEC) in 1966 as head usher. She made her debut on Broadway in “The Last of Mrs. Lincoln” by James Prideaux. She acted extensively with the New Federal Theatre of Woodie King Jr. and with numerous other theatrical troupes.
She moved to the big screen in the 1970s starring in films of the blaxploitation genre. In the 1971 comedy film Bananas she portrayed Federal Bureau of Investigation director J. Edgar Hoover disguised as a black woman.
In the 2000s she achieved fame portraying the quick-witted political commentator Nancy Fichandler in the Onion News Network. Other television roles include Random Acts of Flyness and Orange is the New Black.
In 2019, she returned to the stage with the Negro Ensemble Company in "Imminently Yours" by Karimah. The tragicomedy set in the American South follows the intergenerational experiences of an African-American family. She played the role of Lillie Mae.
Death Fox died on March 29, 2026, at the age of 96.
Filmography YearTitleRoleNotes1970Caught in the MiddleTV movie1971BananasJ. Edgar HooverFilm1971The Gang That Couldn't Shoot StraightNurseFilm1972Come Back, Charleston BlueStreetwalkerFilm1974After the FallCarrieFilm1975The Happy HookerRosita the MaidFilm1975Three Days of the CondorNurseFilm1976DragonflyWoman on porchFilm1978The WizAunt Em's PartyFilm1979The HitterMabelFilm1989That's AdequateBeulahFilm1993StrappedGrandmotherTV movie2004Mind the GapGrandmaFilm2007–2010Onion News NetworkNancy FichandlerTelevision series2010GravityHomeless ladyTelevision series2012The NormalsOld womanFilm2014The FuzzChief McNairTelevision series2014Before We GoWomanFilm2015Run All NightNervous Old WomanFilm2016Orange Is the New BlackCheeksTelevision series (one Season 4 episode)2016Mr. RobotNell RomeroTelevision series (Eps2.1 k3rnel-pan1c.ksd)2017GirlsSenior citizenTelevision series (one episode)2017Good TimeElderly Woman in HospitalFilm2017Rough NightFemale clerkFilm2018High MaintenanceTelevision series (one episode)2018Lez BombRonnieFilm2018Random Acts of FlynessNanaTelevision series (one episode)2019ShaftOld lady neighbourTelevision series2019Law & Order: Special Victims UnitPatientTelevision series (one episode)2020WheelsGrandmotherTelevision series2020Inspector IkeEstherTelevision series2021Awkwafina Is Nora from QueensLaurieTelevision series (one episode)2021–2022Power Book III: Raising KananDeen's grandmotherTelevision series (three episodes)
References
External links
Dorothi Fox at TV Guide Dorothi Fox at Rotten Tomatoes