Irma P. Hall
Irma P. Hall | |
---|---|
Born | Irma Dolores Player Hall June 3, 1935[1] Beaumont, Texas,U.S. |
Education | Briar Cliff University Texas College |
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 1973–present |
Known for | Josephine Joseph –Soul Food |
Children | 2 |
Irma Dolores Player Hall(born June 3, 1935) is an American actress who has appeared in films and television shows since the early 1970s. Hall often playedmatriarchalfigures in films includingA Family Thing,The LadykillersandSoul Food,in which she portrayed Josephine "Big Mama Joe" Joseph, a role she reprised in thetelevision series of the same name.Hall earned anNAACP Image Awardnomination for portraying the character in the film version.
She also appeared inCollateraland two films by directorWerner Herzog.For her performance inThe Ladykillers,she won theJury Prizeat the2004 Cannes Film Festival.
Early life
[edit]Hall was born Irma Dolores Player Hall inBeaumont, Texas,on June 3, 1935,[1]the only child of Samuel Player, a saxophone player for theRhumboogie Café,[2]and Josephine Hall,[3]who worked as an admission clerk at a hospital.[4]She and her parents moved toChicago's South Side in 1942,[3][4]as Hall's parents wanted their daughter to have better opportunities in education.[4]Hall attendedBriar Cliff CollegeinSioux City, Iowa,[5]but transferred atTexas Collegewhere she graduated.[1]
Beginning in 1962,[2]she taughtFrench,Spanish,and other languages atBooker T. Washington High Schoolin Houston, andJames Madison High Schoolin Dallas.[1]Hall continued to teach until she began acting full time in 1984.[2]
Career
[edit]Hall's first acting role was Georgia Brown in anindependent film,Book of Numbers,at the age of 37.[2]Actor/directorRaymond St. Jacqueshired her as an interim publicist for the film. He saw her performing at apoetry readingand liked her so much that he offered her a role on the spot.[6]St. Jacques opined Hall was a natural and that she should act professionally.[1]She discovered a love for acting, and soon co-founded the Dallas Minority Regional Theater withReggie Montgomery.[7][8]
She worked steadily in films and TV throughout the 1980s, and appeared in the filmsBackdraft(1991) andMo' Money(1992).[2]However, Hall remained relatively unknown until her role as the loving Aunt T. in 1996'sA Family Thing.[9][10]Multiple critics believed Hall stole every scene she was in.[11][12][13]She won theChicago Film Critics Association Awardand theKansas City Film Critics Circle Awardfor Best Supporting Actress for her role,[14][15]and the success of that film helped establish her as a major supporting actress in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Sizable roles in major films such asNothing to Lose[16]andSteelfollowed.[17]Hall then landed the role of Big Mama Joseph in the filmSoul Food.[18]A film reviewer claimed Hall was "perfectly cast" in the role of Mama Joseph.[19]For her work in this film, she received theNAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picturein 1998.[20]Soul Foodwas a hit at thebox office,prompting a televisionspinoff,Soul Food: The Series,in which Hall reprised her role in fantasy sequences.[21]In 2001, Hall received a second NAACP Image Award nomination, in the category ofOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Seriesfor playing Mama Joseph.[22]
Also in 1997, she acted in theClint Eastwood-directedfilm adaptationofJohn Berendt's novelMidnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.[23]Her character,root doctorMinerva, was based onValerie Boles.[24]Hall appeared in the television filmsA Lesson Before Dying(1999),Something to Sing About(2000), andMiss Lettie and Me(2002).[25]Hall portrayed Glory St. Clair, a psychic nurse, in the short-lived seriesAll Souls.[26]
Hall landed another acclaimed role in the 2004 remake ofThe Ladykillersas Marva Munson, a religious landlady.[27]A reviewer believed Hall was "outstanding" in the film,[28]while Justin Flowers felt Hall was the funniest actor in an otherwise negative review for the film.[29]She won a special Jury Prize at the 2004Cannes Film Festivalfor her performance.[30]Additionally, Hall received an NAACP Image Award nomination as Marva Munson.[31]
She made guest appearances onLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit,The Game,andChicago Fire.Hall portrayed a day care operator inMeet the Browns(2008),[32]also having a minor role inBad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans(2009).[33]Hall appeared as an employee for a white family inJayne Mansfield's Car(2012)[34]and recurred as Meemaw inHap and Leonardin 2017.[35]
Personal life
[edit]Hall lives inDallaswith her family. She has two children and four grandchildren.[36]
She is a practicing Catholic.[37][better source needed]
Car crash
[edit]Shortly before the 2004 film release ofThe Ladykillers,Hall was seriously injured in a car crash inChicago.In the midst of asnowstorm,she lost control of her vehicle, crossed lanes into oncoming traffic, and hit another car head on.[38]
She underwent emergencyopen-heart surgeryfor a puncture wound to heraortacaused by a broken rib. In addition, Hall also suffered a shattered ankle and a broken arm.[39]Hall was cited for driving with a suspended license, and not staying in her lane.[40]She made a full recovery, and was able to continue her career.
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]Television
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1978 | Dallas | Tilly | Episode: "Bar-B-Que" |
1979 | Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders | Dora | TV film |
1980 | Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders II | Dora | TV film |
1980 | Skyward | Mrs. Sinclair | TV film |
1981 | Crisis at Central High | Lulu Richards | TV film |
1981 | Broken Promise | Williston | TV film |
1984 | He's Not Your Son | Nurse Anne Hall | TV film |
1984 | Dallas | Rosa | Episode: "Shadow of a Doubt" |
1985 | The Long Hot Summer | Cecilia Howlett | TV film |
1986 | The George McKenna Story | TV film | |
1987 | Uncle Tom's Cabin | Mammy | TV film |
1990 | The Kid Who Loved Christmas | Mrs. Smith | TV film |
1992 | In the Shadow of a Killer | Foreman | TV film |
1993 | In the Company of Darkness | Apartment Manager | TV film |
1993 | Missing Persons | Mrs. Davison | Episodes: "I Can't Even Imagine", "Right Neighborhood... Wrong Door" |
1994 | Missing Persons | Mrs. Davison | Episode: "What Do You Want... A Signed Confession?" |
1995 | Wishbone | Dr. Thelma Brown | Episode: "Digging Up the Past" |
1996 | To Sir, with Love II | Old Woman | TV film |
1998 | The Love Letter | Mae Mullen | TV film |
1998 | Touched by an Angel | Effie Taylor | Episode: "Seek and Ye Shall Find" |
1998 | Getting Personal | Mrs. Buckley | Episode: "Guess Who Else Is Coming to Dinner?" |
1999 | A Lesson Before Dying | Miss Emma | TV film Nominated -Black Reel Award for Best Actress: T.V. Movie/Cable |
1999 | Judging Amy | Beverly Raymond | Episode: "An Impartial Bias" |
2000 | 7th Heaven | Hattie | Episode: "All By Myself" |
2000 | Something to Sing About | Memaw | TV film |
2000-2002 | Soul Food | Mama Joe | Regular role (14 episodes) |
2001 | A Rugrats Kwanzaa Special | Great Aunt T (voice) | TV film |
2001 | A Girl Thing | Alice | TV film |
2001 | All Souls | Nurse Glory St. Claire | Recurring role (5 episodes) Nominated -NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series |
2002 | Our America | June Jones | TV film |
2002 | The Bernie Mac Show | Aunt Liva | Episodes: "Sweet Home Chicago: Parts 1 & 2" |
2002 | Miss Lettie and Me | Rose Griffin | TV film CAMIE Award for Best Performance |
2003 | An Unexpected Love | Mary | TV film |
2006 | Take 3 | Mildred Burnett | TV film |
2010-2011 | Diary of a Single Mom | Dessa | Recurring role (5 episodes) |
2011 | Harry's Law | Anna Nicholson | Episode: "Heat of Passion" |
2011 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Lorna Talcott | Episode: "Reparations" |
2012 | The Game | Episode: "Grand Opening, Grand Closing" | |
2012 | Chicago Fire | Mrs. Grady | Episode: "One Minute" |
2013 | Getting On | Cordelia Meade | Episode: "The Concert" |
2017 | Hap and Leonard | Meemaw | Regular role (6 episodes) |
Awards and nominations
[edit]- Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films
- 2005, Best Actress: The Ladykillers (Nominated)
- Black Reel Awards
- 2005, Best Actress in a Musical/Comedy: The Ladykillers (Winner)
- 2000, Best Supporting Actress in a Mini-Series/Television Movie: A Lesson Before Dying (Nominated)
- Cannes Film Festival
- 2005,Jury Prize for Acting:The Ladykillers (Winner)
References
[edit]- ^abcdeJones, Chelsea (April 1, 2014)."The Original Big Mama: Actress Irma P. Hall Reflects on 40+ Years in Drama".The Washington Informer.RetrievedNovember 11,2022.
Born Irma Dolores Player Hall on June 3, 1935, in Beaumont, Texas...
- ^abcdePeters, Ida (March 9, 1996). "Veteran actress Irma P. Hall is Aunt T in 'A Family Thing'".Baltimore Afro-American.p. B4.
- ^ab""SOUL FOOD" MATRIARCH STRESSES FAMILY ".The Virginian-Pilot.September 28, 1997.RetrievedJuly 3,2019.
- ^abcGillespie, Spike (October 1998)."Fame of Hall".Texas Monthly.RetrievedNovember 11,2022.
- ^Irma P. Hall Biography - Yahoo! Movies
- ^Sime, Tom (February 12, 1999)."Stretching the imagination to the max".Indianapolis Recorder.p. C1.
- ^McKinley, Jesse(September 3, 1999)."Triumph of A Lifetime (In Fact, 2 Lifetimes)".The New York Times.RetrievedNovember 12,2022.
- ^Johnson, Eddie Bernice(14 April 2008)."HONORING IRMA P. HALL"(PDF).Congress.gov.
- ^Persall, Steve (March 29, 1996). "The woman behind Aunt T. is not easily forgotten".St. Petersburg Times.p. D1.
- ^Puig, Claudia(April 6, 1996). "After 21 Years, A Star Is Born".Reading Eagle.p. D7.
- ^"Unique plot, acting gives life to otherwise cliche film".The Spokesman-Review.April 9, 1996. p. F6.
- ^Hicks, Chris (March 29, 1996). "Duvall, Jones shine in 'A Family Thing'".The Deseret News.p. W5.
- ^Steelman, Ben (March 30, 1996). "'A Family Thing' matches top-notch odd couple ".Star-News.p. 2D.
- ^"1988-2013 Award Winner Archives".Chicago Film Critics Association.2013-01-01.Archivedfrom the original on 2023-11-01.Retrieved2024-03-24.
- ^"KCFCC Award Winners – 1990-99 | Kansas City Film Critics Circle".Kansas City Film Critics Circle.Archivedfrom the original on 2013-12-16.Retrieved2024-03-24.
- ^Maslin, Janet(July 18, 1997)."Unlikely Partners in Crime".The New York Times.RetrievedNovember 12,2022.
- ^Lentz, Harris M. (2001).Science Fiction, Horror & Fantasy Film and Television Credits: Filmography.McFarland & Company.p. 1556.
- ^Thomas, Kevin (September 29, 1997). "'Soul Food': A good mix of ingredients ".Reading Eagle.p. A6.
- ^Byrge, Duane (September 26, 1997). "'Soul Food' a banquet of life's ups and downs ".The Spokesman-Review.p. 6.
- ^"'Soul Food' awarded 5 NAACP Image Awards ".The Telegraph-Herald.February 17, 1998. p. 9B.
- ^Owen, Rob(June 26, 2000). "Showtime series about families show more or less promise".Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.p. C1; C7.
- ^"NAACP Image Awards: Official Ballot".The Crisis.National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.2000.
- ^Weiskind, Ron (November 21, 1997). "'Garden' of delight ".Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.p. 17.
- ^"Reclusive voodoo priestess of 'Midnight' fame dies"–Savannah Morning News,May 8, 2009
- ^Fearn-Banks, Kathleen (July 16, 2009).The A to Z of African-American Television.Scarecrow Press.p. 180.ISBN9780810863484.
- ^McDonough, Kevin (April 17, 2001). "Hunk in a haunted hospital".Ocala Star-Banner.p. 5D.
- ^Wilmington, Michael (April 6, 2004). "'The Ladykillers' works, in repetition ".Calhoun Times.p. 1.
- ^Wright, Cherriece (April 1, 2004). "Hanks, Hall provide the laughs in" The Ladykillers "".The Dispatch.p. 6A.
- ^Flowers, Justin (March 30, 2004). "'Ladykillers' just not funny ".The Albany Herald.p. 3B.
- ^"Irma P. Hall Awarded Special Honor At Cannes Film Festival".Jet.Johnson Publishing Company.June 14, 2004. p. 32.
- ^"Vivica A. FOX, Omar Epps, Hill Harper, Essence Atkins and Ananda Lewis Join Naacp Executives to Announce the '36th Naacp Image Awards' Nominations".The Futon Critic.January 19, 2005.RetrievedNovember 12,2022.
- ^"Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns".The Hollywood Reporter.March 23, 2008.RetrievedNovember 11,2022.
- ^Rainer, Peter (November 20, 2009)."'Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans' – movie review ".The Christian Science Monitor.RetrievedNovember 11,2022.
- ^Rooney, David (February 13, 2012)."Jayne Mansfield's Car: Berlin Film Review".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedNovember 11,2022.
- ^Petski, Denise (September 9, 2016)."Brian Dennehy To Recur On 'Hap & Leonard' Season 2".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedNovember 11,2022.
- ^"Victory Gardens Theater - Irma P. Hall to Star in Victory Garden's Midwest Premiere ofWaiting to be Invited,Jan. 18-Mar. 3, 2002 ".Archived fromthe originalon September 29, 2007.RetrievedJuly 20,2007.
- ^Irma P. Hall (The HistoryMakers A2008.045), interviewed by Denise Gines, March 12, 2008, The HistoryMakers Digital Archive. Session 1, tape 2, story 9, Irma P. Hall recalls her early experiences of religion
- ^"Actress Hall seriously hurt in accident".Reel Chicago.January 28, 2004.RetrievedNovember 11,2022.
- ^"Hall able to attend private screening".The Hour.April 2, 2004. p. A2.
- ^"Actress Irma P. Hall Injured In Car Accident".Jet.Johnson Publishing Company.February 16, 2004. p. 65.
External links
[edit]- Living people
- African-American poets
- People from Beaumont, Texas
- Actresses from Chicago
- American television actresses
- American film actresses
- American voice actresses
- American stage actresses
- American women poets
- American women dramatists and playwrights
- 21st-century African-American actresses
- 20th-century African-American actresses
- 20th-century American actresses
- 20th-century African-American women writers
- Texas College people
- 1935 births
- 20th-century African-American writers
- 20th-century American women writers
- 20th-century American poets
- American dramatists and playwrights