Theresa Merritt Hines (September , â€" June , ) was an American
stage, film, and television actress and singer. She's known for her
role in That's My Mama (-) and for her film roles in The Wiz (), Billy
Madison ().Born in Emporia, Virginia, Merritt appeared in many
theatrical productions but gained fame later in life when she starred
in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, for which she earned a Tony Award
nomination, and The Wiz, in which she replaced Mabel King as Evelline.
She left The Wiz, citing the role's harmful effect on her voice. She
then starred in the television sitcom That's My Mama.Merritt's other
Broadway credits included Mule Bone (), Division Street (), Don't Play
Us Cheap! (), The Crucible (), Trumpets of the Lord (), Golden Boy (),
Tambourines to Glory (), and Carmen Jones (, , ). She also toured with
road companies of Funny Girl, Show Boat, and South Pacific.Her most
notable film roles were Aunt Em in the film version of The Wiz, Mrs.
Crosby in the film adaptation of Neil Simon's The Goodbye Girl, and
Juanita in the Adam Sandler comedy Billy Madison. She also appeared
alongside Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton in the film adaptation of The
Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
stage, film, and television actress and singer. She's known for her
role in That's My Mama (-) and for her film roles in The Wiz (), Billy
Madison ().Born in Emporia, Virginia, Merritt appeared in many
theatrical productions but gained fame later in life when she starred
in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, for which she earned a Tony Award
nomination, and The Wiz, in which she replaced Mabel King as Evelline.
She left The Wiz, citing the role's harmful effect on her voice. She
then starred in the television sitcom That's My Mama.Merritt's other
Broadway credits included Mule Bone (), Division Street (), Don't Play
Us Cheap! (), The Crucible (), Trumpets of the Lord (), Golden Boy (),
Tambourines to Glory (), and Carmen Jones (, , ). She also toured with
road companies of Funny Girl, Show Boat, and South Pacific.Her most
notable film roles were Aunt Em in the film version of The Wiz, Mrs.
Crosby in the film adaptation of Neil Simon's The Goodbye Girl, and
Juanita in the Adam Sandler comedy Billy Madison. She also appeared
alongside Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton in the film adaptation of The
Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
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