Rosalie King (born Rosa Lea Frances Stephens, August , , Jacksonville,
Florida â€" died June , , Ocala, Florida), also known as Rosalie
Simpson, was an American character actress and singer.She appeared on
radio in The Maxwell House Coffee Hour. She was an original member of
the Katherine Dunham Company, leaving because of the troupe's proposed
tour of Australia and New Zealand (â€"), citing the distance from her
children. The decision also cost the company the services of her
husband, basso profondo Gordon Simpson, for which she later said that
Dunham never fully forgave her. She also performed with the Eva Jessye
Choir.King was known for the timbre of her contralto voice. She became
a favourite of playwright Langston Hughes, who wrote original material
for her. She costarred in his play Jericho-Jim Crow in .
Florida â€" died June , , Ocala, Florida), also known as Rosalie
Simpson, was an American character actress and singer.She appeared on
radio in The Maxwell House Coffee Hour. She was an original member of
the Katherine Dunham Company, leaving because of the troupe's proposed
tour of Australia and New Zealand (â€"), citing the distance from her
children. The decision also cost the company the services of her
husband, basso profondo Gordon Simpson, for which she later said that
Dunham never fully forgave her. She also performed with the Eva Jessye
Choir.King was known for the timbre of her contralto voice. She became
a favourite of playwright Langston Hughes, who wrote original material
for her. She costarred in his play Jericho-Jim Crow in .
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