Suzzanne Douglas obit

Actress Suzzanne Douglas Dead At 64

 Douglas was known for her roles in a number of movies and TV shows in the '90s including Tap, The Parent 'Hood, and How Stella Got Her Groove Back

She was not on the list.

Suzzanne Douglas, known for her leading role in the Robert Townsend sitcom The Parent ‘Hood has passed away at the age of 64.

Angie Tee, reported to be a cousin of the late actress, broke the news of Douglas’ death on Facebook July 6. In her post she wrote:

“Suzzanne Douglas a beautiful and talented actress made her transition today. She warmed our hearts on movie screens and television sets all over the world. This beautiful soul was my cousin.

“I can remember growing up, there weren’t very many black actresses who had starring roles but there was my cousin with the lead role in “Tap” starring alongside great dancers such as Gregory Hines and Sammy Davis Jr. She also performed with Angela Bassett and Whoopi Goldberg in “How Stella Got Her Groove Back.” The Inkwell, Jason’s Lyric and so much more the list goes on. The world will miss your talent but your soul will live on forever Rest in Paradise my beautiful cousin Suzzane you will be missed RIP”

Douglas was born in Chicago and raised in public housing on the city’s south side by her single mother along with her three siblings. After developing an interest in the arts at a young age, she earned a Bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University before later earning a Master in Music degree from the Manhattan School of Music.

For her lead role in Tap in 1989, Douglas won an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture. From there she went on to star in other feature films such as The Inkwell, Jason’s Lyric, and How Stella Got Her Groove Back. In 2015, she portrayed Cissy Houston in the Lifetime biopic Whitney.

Douglas appeared in a number of TV sitcoms and dramas over the course of her career as well. In addition to her leading part as Jerri Peterson in the WB comedy The Parent ‘Hood, Douglas also had guest roles on The Cosby Show, Touched By An Angel, The Parkers, and The Good Wife. Most recently, she starred in Ava Duvernay’s 2019 minseries When They See Us.

Earlier this year, Reagan Gomez, who starred alongside Douglas in The Parent ‘Hood gave her TV mom her digital flowers. Today she has retweeted those Mother’s Day posts in her memory. So far, no cause of death has been revealed.

 

Filmography

Film

Year       Title       Role       Notes

1981      Purlie                    Television film

1989      Tap         Amy Simms        

1990      The Knife and Gun Club Ginny Ducette   Television film

1992      Chain of Desire Angie    

1992      Condition: Critical            Dr. Bailey Wallace            Television film

1994      I'll Do Anything Rainbow House Star       

1994      The Inkwell         Brenda Tate       

1994      Search for Grace               Margaret / Melody          Television film

1994      Jason's Lyric        Gloria   

1998      The Last Weekend                           Short film

1998      How Stella Got Her Groove Back                Angela

1998      Alyson's Closet Old Lady               Short film

1999      Student Affairs Gretchin               Television film

2003      Sounder               The Mother        Television film

2003      School of Rock   Tomika's Mother             

2004      Sunday on the Rocks       Jessica  

2012      Changing the Game         Mrs. Davis          

2015      Whitney               Cissy Houston    Television film

2016      Happy Yummy Chicken Sarah Del Casserole        

2020      Really Love          Ann Solomon    

Television

Year       Title       Role       Notes

1989      A Man Called Hawk         Lorna Wells         Episode: "Vendetta"

1990      The Cosby Show               Rebecca Shorter               Episode: "Live and Learn"

1990–1991          Against the Law                Yvette Carruthers             17 episodes

1991      Great Performances       Lady In Plaid / The Girl   Episode: "The Colored Museum"

1991      ABC Afterschool Specials               Sammy Episode: "In the Shadows of Love: A Teen AIDS Story"

1992      I'll Fly Away        Ruth      3 episodes

1993      American Playhouse       Eunice Perry       Episode: "Hallelujah"

1995–1999          The Parent 'Hood             Jerri Peterson    90 episodes

1996-1999          Touched by an Angel      Dr. Rebecca Dixon / Brianna        2 episodes

1996      NYPD Blue           Mrs. Torrence    Episode: "Where's 'Swaldo"

1997–1998          Promised Land Dr. Rebecca Dixon            4 episodes

1999–2000          The Parkers        Constance McFarland     2 episodes

2001      Law & Order: Special Victims Unit             Principal               Episode: "Secrets"

2004      Law & Order: Criminal Intent      Karen Watkins   Episode: "Mad Hops"

2010      The Good Wife Judge Keely Farmer         Episode: "Infamy"

2011      Are We There Yet?          Melissa                 Episode: "The Parent Teacher Trap Episode"

2016      Bones    Elizabeth Burkhart           Episode: "The Monster in the Closet"

2016      Bull        Betty Everton     Episode: "Just Tell the Truth"

2019      When They See Us           Grace Cuffe        Miniseries