Lonette McKee (born July 22, 1954 in Detroit, Michigan) is an American film, television and theater actress, music composer/producer/songwriter, screenwriter and director. She is most known for her role as Sister Williams in the original 1976 film Sparkle. She is also known for roles in such movies as The Cotton Club, ATL and Honey. She also appeared on the CW sitcom The Game as Mrs. Pitts, the mother of Jason (played by Coby Bell).
When I left my husband, there was no work and no money. And so my new boyfriend and I were forced to move to an area of Fort Greene [Brooklyn, NY] that was very drug infested, and it was very hard. I got recognized a lot on the streets. They thought we had something that we didn't. I'd get a lot of comments like: 'Why are you living here? You're a star.' And I thought, 'Movie stars got to pay their rent, too.'
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Fact
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She is currently completing work on her fourth feature film for Spike Lee. [February 2004]
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She will be a featured guest artist at the prestigious Symphony Space in New York City, where she will read a short story by the gifted writer, Edwidge Danticat from her soon to be published novel-in-stories "The Dew Breaker" in April 2004. [July 2004]
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Was nominated for a 1983 Tony Award as Best Actress (Musical) for her portrayal of Julie LaVerne in a revival of "Show Boat".
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She is an avid animal lover with a particular ability to intuit and communicate with birds. Lonette loves all animals and has a profound respect and love for all nature.
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Began career as a recording artist in Detroit as a child music prodigy. signed with the Detroit-based M-S label and put out a record which became a regional hit at fourteen years old. Released an album, Lonette McKee, on the Sussex label with the same producers, Mike Theodore and Dennis Coffey in 1974.
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Father is of African-American; mother is of European descent.
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Was the first black actress to play Julie in a major American stage production of "Show Boat".
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She was ranked in People Magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People in the World" in 1995.
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Lonette has been nominated for two Image Awards.
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Recorded a pop album "Natural Love" in 1992.
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Once married to a social worker.
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Made her Broadway debut in a co-starring role in the musical "The First" playing Jackie Robinson's wife Rachel.
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Often portraying women with tragic auras, she played the late Billie Holliday in the off-Broadway hit show, "Lady Day at the Emerson's Bar and Grill", for which she received a nomination for a Drama Desk award. She also played the equally bittersweet role of 'Julie' in "Show Boat" in 1983 for the renowned Houston Grand Opera, becoming the first African American cast in the role in the US. In 1994 she reprieved the role for famed Broadway director, Harold Prince. Her first film role was playing the beloved character, 'Sista' in the now cult musical film, Sparkle in 1976.
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Has taught Master acting classes at Centenary College, NJ, where she serves as an adjunct professor in the Theater Arts department.
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Nominated for a Tony Award for her portrayal of Julie LaVerne in "Show Boat".
$1.9 Million
