Suzzanne Douglas, the veteran actress who is best known for her role as the mom in Robert Townsend’s WB hit show “The Parent ‘Hood” and who starred in many memorable films has died at the age of 64.
Her husband told TMZ that Suzzanne died Wednesday at her home in Martha Vineyards from complications of cancer. He said, “Her energy and creativity will be missed by all.”
Suzzanne’s cousin Angie Tea also shared the news in a Facebook post:
“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”
Suzzanne got her start in the industry after attending Illinois State University and later Manhattan School of Music, where she earned a Master in Music degree. Her first major film was Tap, the 1989 movie in which she starred as Amy, a role that earned her an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture.
After her Tap success, Suzzanne went on to star in shows like A Man Called Hawk, The Cosby Show, Against the Law, I’ll Fly Away, and more. Her film credits include Chain of Desire, I’ll Do Anything, The Inkwell, Jason’s Lyric, and How Stella Got Her Groove Back.
In more recent years, Douglas appeared in Are We There Yet?, Bones, Bull, and When They See Us.
Ava DuVernay, who directed Suzzanne in When They See Us, posted a tribute to her on Twitter this morning. “Suzzanne Douglas was a quiet, elegant force as we made WHEN THEY SEE US. A gentlewoman. A gem of a lady,” Ava wrote. “A confident, caring actor who breathed life into the words and made them shimmer. I’m grateful that our paths in this life crossed. May she journey on in peace and love.”
In 2015, she played Cissy Houston in Lifetime’s Whitney movie.
Back in January Suzzanne shared that “two life-threatening cancers” had changed her life.
“Don’t let poor health interrupt your purpose,” she posted on Facebook at the time. “God’s mission and plan for our lives takes our being committed to our mind, body and soul.”
Here are some clips of Suzzanne Douglas acting in some of our all-time favorite movies and shows!
Sending condolences to her family and friends. Rest in peace, beautiful queen.
