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Barbara Montgomery
Barbara Montgomery
Barbara Montgomery
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Barbara Montgomery (born June 25, 1939) is an American stage, television and film actress, and theatrical and film director. She is best known for her performance in Amen (1986-1990).

Key Information

Career

[edit]

Born in Queens, Montgomery began her career on the stage in the 1960s in Off-Off-Broadway theatrical groups. She was a member of Negro Ensemble Company and the La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club. In the early 1970s, she starred as "Mama" in the Off-Broadway production of My Sister, My Sister for which she earned an Obie Award. The play later ran on Broadway from April to August 1974 for which Montgomery reprised her role.[1]

In 1986, Montgomery won the role of Cassietta Hetebrink on the NBC sitcom Amen. Montgomery played the role for four years before leaving the series in 1990. Later that year, she starred in the short-lived ABC program Married People as Olivia Williams.[1] She has also appeared on many shows such as A Different World, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Disneyland, and Living Single.

In 2013, Montgomery made her directorial debut with the historical film Mitote, starring Ruby Dee and S. Epatha Merkerson.[2]

Work

[edit]
Stage
Year Play Role Notes
1974 My Sister, My Sister Mama
1975 The First Breeze of Summer Aunt Edna
1976 Kennedy's Children Wanda
1981 Inacent Black Mana Essie Rydell
1985 The Tap Dance Kid Dulcie
2008 Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Dialect Coach
Film
Year Film Role Notes
1984 Moscow on the Hudson Mrs. Marlowe
1991 A Fond Little Memory
1993 The Meteor Man Dre's mother
2001 Lift France
2007 Blackout Mrs. Germaine
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1976 The First Breeze of Summer Aunt Edna Television movie
1985 Evergreen Celeste Miniseries
1986 A Fight for Jenny Mrs. Martin Television movie
1986–1990 Amen Casietta Hetebrink 88 episodes
1989 The Women of Brewster Place Miss Eva Miniseries
Polly Mrs. Conley Television movie
1990 Married People Olivia Williams Unknown episodes
Polly: Comin' Home! Mrs. Conley Television movie
1992 A Different World Imogene Douglas 2 episodes
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Irene Jones- Judge Carl Robertson's Mistress 1 episode
1993 Quantum Leap Vivian 1 episode
Bloodlines: Murder in the Family Judge Barbara Daniels Television movie
Bodies of Evidence Nurse Halli Mashler 1 episode
1994 Sister, Sister Odessa 1 episode
1995 Women of the House Sapphire Jones 1 episode
Living Single Ruth 1 episode
Dave's World Anna Dunham 1 episode
1996 ABC Afterschool Special Geneva 1 episode
1999 Cosby Betty 1 episode
2016 Grey's Anatomy Louise 1 episode

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Barbara Montgomery

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Barbara Montgomery (born June 25, 1939) is an American actress, director, vocalist, and producer known for her pioneering contributions to theater, television, and film, particularly within Black American arts. An original member of the , she has performed in landmark productions and earned critical acclaim for her versatile portrayals of strong, multifaceted women. Her career spans over five decades, encompassing Broadway and stages, roles that highlighted ensemble dynamics in Black families, independent films, and a parallel path in music production and performance. Montgomery's theater career began in the late 1960s with groups such as and the , where she appeared in influential works like Black Visions (1972), Thoughts (1973), and Les Femmes Noires (1974). She transitioned to Broadway with roles in (1973), Kennedy's Children (1975), and (1984), and received an for her performance in the play My Sister, My Sister (1974). In 1983, she co-founded Black Women in Theater, Inc., serving as its artistic director and directing productions such as Blues in a Broken Tongue (2005) and the film Mitote (2013), which featured and . On television, Montgomery gained widespread recognition for portraying the outspoken church trustee Casietta Hetebrink in the sitcom Amen from 1986 to 1990, a role that showcased her comedic timing alongside . She departed the series amid reported creative differences and starred as in the short-lived ABC sitcom Married People (1990–1991). Her film credits include supporting roles in Personal Problems (1980), (1984), and The Meteor Man (1993), often emphasizing resilient community figures. Additionally, Montgomery has pursued a music career as a vocalist with a distinctive husky timbre, releasing albums like Little Sunflower (2002) and Trinity (2005), while producing over six CDs featuring collaborations with artists such as and Freddie Hubbard.

Early life and education

Upbringing

Barbara Montgomery was born on June 25, 1939, in East Orange, New Jersey. Raised in East Orange during the 1940s and 1950s, Montgomery developed an interest in the arts. In high school, Montgomery discovered a profound passion for music and singing, often employing comedy to entertain her classmates and bring joy to those around her. These early experiences honed her natural talents for engaging audiences through humor and melody, laying the groundwork for her lifelong commitment to the arts. This period in culminated in her move to in 1957, a key transition toward pursuing professional opportunities in performance.

Acting training

After developing an interest in and during high school in , Barbara Montgomery relocated to in 1957 to pursue a career in acting. Early on, she performed in nightclubs. Upon arriving, Montgomery sought formal training and studied under Vinnette Carroll, a pioneering Black theater director known for her work in advancing opportunities for African American performers. Carroll, who had debuted on Broadway in 1956 and later founded influential theater initiatives, provided Montgomery with foundational skills in acting techniques tailored to the challenges faced by minority artists in the industry. This mentorship emphasized dramatic interpretation, voice work, and stage presence, preparing her for the competitive New York theater scene. In the late 1960s, Montgomery became involved with the Urban Arts Corps, an organization established by Carroll in to train and showcase performers from minority communities in all aspects of theater. Through her early participation, she gained exposure to experimental theater environments that encouraged innovative approaches to , , and ensemble work, fostering a versatile style that integrated cultural narratives with elements. This affiliation not only honed her craft but also immersed her in a collaborative space dedicated to elevating Black voices in contemporary drama.

Acting career

Stage roles

Barbara Montgomery began her stage career in the 1960s with pioneering ensembles, including the (NEC), founded in 1967, and the , where she contributed to innovative productions that highlighted African American narratives. Her earliest credited role came in 1968 as part of Steve Carter's The Terraced Apartment at the Old Reliable Theater, marking her entry into experimental theater spaces that fostered emerging Black talent. In the early 1970s, Montgomery gained prominence Off-Broadway with the NEC, appearing in works such as Black Visions (1972), Thoughts (1973), and Les Femmes Noires (1974), before starring as the resilient matriarch "Mama" in Ray Aranha's My Sister, My Sister at the Theatre de Lys. The play, which explored family dynamics in a Southern community during the 1950s, transferred to Broadway's Theatre for a run from to 1974, with Montgomery reprising her role; her performance earned her an , a key milestone in her theater career. Montgomery's Broadway debut came in 1973 as standby for the lead in the musical Raisin, an adaptation of Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun that celebrated Black family resilience. She followed with featured roles including Wanda, a disillusioned activist, in Robert Patrick's Kennedy's Children (1975) at the Golden Theatre, and as a courtesan in Albert Camus's Caligula (1977), directed by Tom O'Horgan at La MaMa E.T.C., where she portrayed a figure in the Roman emperor's turbulent court. Later credits included Mama Essie Rydell in Philip Hayes Dean's Inacent Black (1981) and Dulcie, a supportive aunt, in the long-running musical The Tap Dance Kid (1983–1985) at the Broadhurst Theatre, which ran for 669 performances and emphasized intergenerational themes through tap dance. In addition to performing, Montgomery extended her theater influence as a dialect coach, notably for the 2008 Broadway revival of Tennessee Williams's Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at the Broadhurst Theatre, ensuring authentic Southern inflections in an all-Black cast production directed by .

Television roles

Montgomery transitioned from stage acting to television in the 1980s, expanding her range into sitcoms and dramas. One of her most prominent television roles was as Cassietta Hetebrink, the sharp-witted church trustee and sister to Amelia Hetebrink, on the sitcom from 1986 to 1990. She appeared in 88 episodes across the show's first four seasons, portraying a character known for her humorous interactions within the church community led by Deacon Ernest Frye. Her performance as Cassietta contributed to the series' popularity as a family-oriented set in , earning her recognition for bringing depth to supporting roles in ensemble casts. Following her departure from Amen, Montgomery starred as Olivia Williams, the wise and grounded matriarch of an interracial couple owning a New York apartment building, in the ABC sitcom Married People in 1990. The series, which explored the lives of four couples in the building, featured her alongside Ray Aranha as her husband Nick, and ran for one season of 18 episodes before being canceled. In the role, Montgomery delivered a portrayal emphasizing marital dynamics and community support, drawing on her experience from Amen to anchor the show's comedic and dramatic elements. Throughout her television career, Montgomery made notable guest appearances, including as Imogene Douglas in the 1987 episode "Reconcilable Differences" of the sitcom , where she played a family member navigating generational conflicts at . In 1992, she appeared as Woman #1 in an episode of on , contributing to the show's blend of humor and in a West Philadelphia family setting. Much later, in 2016, she guest-starred as Louise in the season 12 finale "Family Affair" of ABC's medical drama , portraying a whose storyline highlighted themes of family reconciliation and hospital ethics.

Film roles

Barbara Montgomery began transitioning her acting career to the screen in the , incorporating supporting roles in feature films alongside her television appearances. Her film debut was as Rose Cummings in the independent drama Personal Problems (1980), directed by Bill Gunn and exploring personal and familial struggles in a community. One of her subsequent credits was in the 1984 romantic comedy-drama , directed by and starring as a Soviet circus who defects during a performance in . In the film, which explores themes of , cultural shock, and the pursuit of , Montgomery portrayed Mrs. Marlowe, a minor supporting character amid the ensemble depicting the immigrant's encounters with American society. Her performance added to the film's authentic portrayal of diverse New Yorkers navigating everyday life. Nearly a decade later, Montgomery appeared in the 1993 superhero comedy The Meteor Man, written and directed by Robert Townsend, who also starred as a mild-mannered schoolteacher empowered by a to combat in a Washington, D.C. neighborhood. The film, notable as one of the earliest major Hollywood productions to center a Black superhero, features an all-star cast including and . Montgomery played Dre's mother, the parent of a young gang member affiliated with the antagonistic Golden Lords, providing emotional depth to the story's community dynamics and family impacts of . Her role underscored the film's focus on inner-city struggles and redemption.

Directing and production work

Theater contributions

In 1983, Barbara Montgomery co-founded Black Women in Theater, Inc., alongside actress , serving as its to foster opportunities and visibility for Black women in the . The organization aimed to address the underrepresentation of Black female artists by producing works that highlighted their talents and narratives, drawing on Montgomery's extensive experience as a performer to guide its mission. Under this initiative, Montgomery conceived, wrote, co-directed with , and performed in the production in 1986, a compilation of scenes primarily by writers exploring the career trajectory of a actress. Staged at the Theatre in Brooklyn's Restoration Plaza to honor Theater Month, the play featured 12 performers, including lead actress Brenda Denmark, who portrayed the central figure reflecting on her roles through flashbacks incorporating texts by authors such as and . Performances ran Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 P.M. and Sundays at 4 P.M., with tickets priced at $10 (or $6 on Thursdays), underscoring Montgomery's commitment to creating space for women's stories in theater. Montgomery directed additional theater productions, including Blues in a Broken Tongue (2005) by Leslie Lee for the , Cacao Dolce (1999) and L’Inizio del Dolore (2002), both written and directed by her at La MaMa , Showboat (2007) for The Mercury Opera in , and plays by Paul Green at La MaMa E.T.C. She also served as Director in Residence for Opera Ebony. Her transition to directing built directly on her foundation, allowing her to mentor emerging female talent while amplifying underrepresented voices through organizational leadership and innovative productions.

Film and other projects

Barbara Montgomery made her directorial debut in film with Mitote (2013), a she also produced. Adapted by Leslie Lee from a play by Maisha Baton, Ph.D., the film explores the interconnected stories of three African American women in 1900 —Miss Yolonda, Miss Kate, and Miss Ruth—whose narratives weave together tales of Estebanico, the after , and an African American woman serving as a scout in the U.S. while disguised as a man. Starring as Miss Yolonda, as Miss Ruth, and Sharon Hope as Miss Kate, Mitote marked Montgomery's transition to screen directing, drawing on her extensive theater background to bring depth to the characters' personal and historical reflections. Montgomery first encountered the source material in 1992 during a visit to the in Albuquerque, where she recognized its potential for adaptation into a cinematic highlighting Black women's resilience and untold histories. Excerpts from the film were screened at the in on January 21, 2013, coinciding with , followed by a featuring Montgomery alongside Dee and Merkerson. This project represented her first foray into film production beyond , emphasizing narrative-driven storytelling rooted in African American experiences. Montgomery's dialect coaching credits include work on Broadway productions, such as Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (2008). No further film directing or producing projects are documented beyond her 2013 debut.

Recognition and legacy

Awards

Barbara Montgomery's contributions to theater, particularly in Black theater, have been recognized through several prestigious awards, highlighting her impactful performances and enduring legacy as an actress. In 1974, she received the for Distinguished Performance by an Actress for her portrayal of Mama in the production My Sister, My Sister, a role that showcased her ability to convey deep emotional resonance in family dramas. Montgomery has earned multiple Audelco Awards, which celebrate excellence in Black theater, for her stage work. In 1979, she won the Audelco Award for Lead Actress in a Dramatic Role for her performance in Nevis Mountain Dew at the , where her nuanced depiction of complex characters earned critical acclaim. In 2019, she was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 47th Annual Vivian Robinson Recognition Awards, acknowledging her decades-long influence on Black theater through acting and directing.

Impact on Black theater

Barbara Montgomery emerged as a pioneering figure in Black theater during the 1960s, contributing to the experimental theater movement through her affiliations with influential institutions such as and Joseph Papp's Public Theatre. Her involvement helped expand the visibility of Black performers in productions, challenging traditional casting norms and fostering innovative storytelling rooted in African American experiences. As a key member of the (NEC) starting in the early 1970s, Montgomery played a vital role in one of the most significant ensembles dedicated to Black theater, performing in seminal works like Thoughts (1973) and Les Femmes Noires (1974). This affiliation amplified her influence in promoting diverse narratives and professional opportunities for Black artists during a period of cultural awakening. In 1983, Montgomery co-founded Black Women in Theater, Inc., with Mary Alice, serving as its Artistic Director to specifically advance opportunities for Black women in the field through seminars, workshops, and productions that highlighted their talents and perspectives. The organization established chapters in New York and Los Angeles, creating networks that empowered emerging female artists and addressed systemic barriers in theater. Montgomery's legacy extends through her mentorship of younger performers and her work as a coach, which supported diverse casting by providing essential training in authentic vocal portrayals for Black actors across stage and screen projects. These efforts, alongside markers like her 1974 for My Sister, My Sister, underscore her enduring commitment to building inclusive training and representation in Black theater.

References

  1. https://primarystagesoffcenter.org/interviews/k-o/barbara-montgomery.html
  2. https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Barbara-Montgomery/
  3. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-12-08-ca-5432-story.html
  4. https://www.allaboutjazz.com/musicians/barbara-montgomery/
  5. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0599726/bio/
  6. https://www.nytimes.com/1977/05/06/archives/two-black-lady-macbeths-take-the-stage.html
  7. https://oxfordaasc.com/page/2641
  8. https://playbill.com/production/my-sister-my-sister-little-theatre-vault-0000006742
  9. https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/raisin-3650
  10. https://playbill.com/person/barbara-montgomery-vault-0000000464
  11. https://www.nytimes.com/1977/06/06/archives/camus-caligula-staged-with-flair.html
  12. https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/the-tap-dance-kid-4329
  13. https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/cat-on-a-hot-tin-roof-474986
  14. https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/married-people/cast/1000274118/
  15. https://epguides.com/differentworld/guide.shtml
  16. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0582941/fullcredits
  17. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0599726/
  18. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0285891/
  19. https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/57151
  20. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087747/fullcredits/
  21. https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/moscow-on-the-hudson-1984
  22. https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/59600
  23. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/meteor_man
  24. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107563/fullcredits/
  25. https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-meteor-man-1993
  26. https://www.nytimes.com/1986/02/07/theater/broadway.html
  27. https://www.nytimes.com/1986/02/08/arts/going-out-guide.html
  28. https://blavity.com/s-epatha-merkerson-ruby-dee-star-in-barbara-montgomerys-historical-triptych-mitote
  29. https://www.imdb.com/news/ni45001570/
  30. https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/barbara-montgomery-86213
  31. https://www.obieawards.com/events/1970s/year-74/
  32. https://www.jstor.org/stable/2904584
  33. https://www.audelco.org/vivian-robinsonaudelco-recognition-awards/2019-winners/
  34. https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Riant-Theatre-Announces-2016-Pioneer-of-the-Arts-Award-Winners-20160609
  35. https://www.americantheatre.org/2021/01/13/modest-beginnings-towering-legacy-the-negro-ensemble-company/
  36. https://dokumen.pub/african-american-theatre-an-historical-and-critical-analysis-9781139085748-9780521465854-9780521445221.html
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