| Novella Nelson | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 17, 1939 Brooklyn, New York USA |
| Years active | 1978-present |
Novella Nelson (born December 17, 1939) is an American actress and singer.
Nelson was born in Brooklyn, New York, the daughter of Evelyn Hines and James Nelson.[1] Her career in films did not begin until she was approaching middle age, with a small part in 1978's An Unmarried Woman. Over the next thirty years, she continued to play small roles in movies.[2] Additionally, she established a career as a singer, both on the stage[3] and in cabaret-style locales.[4] Nelson works as an instructor for voice-over actors.[5] In June, 2009, she was appearing in a Boston production of Oedipus.[6]
Contents |
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | An Unmarried Woman | Jean Starret | |
| 1979 | The Seduction of Joe Tynan | Carla Willis | |
| 1984 | The Cotton Club | Madame St. Clair | |
| 1984 | The Flamingo Kid | Lizzy the Housekeeper | |
| 1987 | Orphans | Mattie | |
| 1990 | Privilege | Yvonne Washington | |
| 1990 | The Bonfire of the Vanities | Media Jackal | |
| 1991 | Strictly Business | Olivia | |
| 1993 | Weekend at Bernie's II | Mobu | |
| 1994 | Dead Funny | Frances | |
| 1995 | The Keeper | Mrs. Lemont, Mother | |
| 1996 | Girl 6 | Angela's Aunt | |
| 1997 | The Devil's Advocate | Botanica Woman | |
| 1998 | A Perfect Murder | Ambassador Alice Wills | |
| 2002 | Antwone Fisher | Mrs. Tate | |
| 2003 | The West Wing episode "Gaza" | Gail Fitzwallace | |
| 2003 | The West Wing episode "N.S.F. Thurmont" | Gail Fitzwallace | |
| 2004 | Birth | Lee | |
| 2005 | Dear Wendy | Clarabelle | |
| 2005 | "Preaching To The Choir" | Ruth | |
| 2007 | The Ten | Judge Sophia R. Jackson | |
| 2010 | Night Catches Us | Eloise Johnson | |
| 2010 | 30 Rock episode "The Moms" | Herself |
Nelson was a featured performer on Broadway in 1970 in the musical, PURLIE, in which she sang DOWN HOME with Cleavon Little and HE CAN DO IT with Melba Moore.