Alfre Woodard - Boston University, Family and Childhood
Alfre Woodard's Personal Details
Alfre Woodard is an American actress, producer and political activist
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | November 8, 1952 |
| Nationality | American |
| Famous | Boston University, Activists, Political Activists, Actresses |
| City/State | Oklahoma |
| Spouses | Roderick Spencer (m. 1983) |
| Childrens | Duncan Spencer, Mavis Spencer |
| Universities |
|
| Notable Alumnis |
|
| Birth Place | Tulsa, Oklahoma |
| Height | 160 |
| Gender | Female |
| Father | Marion H. Woodard |
| Mother | Constance Woodard |
| Sun Sign | Scorpio |
| Born in | Tulsa, Oklahoma |
| Famous as | Actress |
| Socials |
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Alfre Woodard's photo
Who is Alfre Woodard?
Alfre Woodard is an American actress, producer and political activist who is widely considered in the film industry to be one of the most versatile and dynamic actors of her time. Throughout her career spanning a period of 50 years, Alfre has acted in numerous stage plays, feature films, television films and series receiving numerous awards and nominations for her performances. Woodard has been nominated for an Academy and Grammy Award once and 18 times for an Emmy Award. She has won four Emmys, one Golden Globe as well as three Screen Actors Guild Awards. Woodard often makes appearances in politically charged dramas, because of her ability to induce gravitas into any scene or storyline she performs. Her breakthrough role came in the 1983 drama film ‘Cross Creek’, for which she earned an Academy Award nomination. Along with her stellar film career, Woodard has also had a flourishing television acting career, her most famous TV role to date being Dr. Roxanne Turner in the NBC medical drama series ‘St. Elsewhere’. Woodard is a political activist and advocate for civil rights. She co-founded ‘Artists for a New South Africa’ which aims at propagating equality and women’s rights in the country. Woodard is also a board member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences or AMPAS
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Childhood & Early Life
Alfre Woodard was born on 8 November 1952 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Marion H. Woodard, an entrepreneur as well as part-time interior designer and Constance Woodard, a homemaker. She has two older siblings.
She graduated in 1970 from Bishop Kelley High School, a private Catholic school in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she was a cheerleader. Later. she studied at Boston University where she earned her bachelor’s in fine arts and theatre.
She first began honing her acting skills at the Mark Taper Forum and made her professional theater debut in 1974 on Washington, D.C.'s Arena Stage. In 1976, she moved to Los Angeles, California.
She began her career by acting in 1977, in the off-broadway pla,y ‘For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf’. This was her breakthrough role.
Career
Alfre Woodard made her film debut in the 1978 movie, ‘Remember My Name’, directed by Alan Rudolph. She also starred in the leading role alongside Samuel L. Jackson in the TV movie ‘The Trial of the Moke’ during the same year.
In 1980, she secured a role in the Robert Altman directed ensemble comedy movie titled ‘Health’. Woodard appeared in the NBC produced television miniseries ‘The Sophisticated Gents’ in 1981.
From 1982 to 1983, she was a series regular in the comedy-drama ‘Tucker’s Witch’ alongside Tim Matheson and Catherine Hicks.
In 1985, she co-starred along Geena Davis in the sitcom ‘Sara’ which was canceled after a brief run.
She co-starred alongside Farrah Fawcett in the 1986 drama film ‘Extremities’ which is based on the eponymous 1982 play by William Mastrosimone.
In 1987, she portrayed South African Civil Rights Activist ‘Winnie Mandela’ in the HBO produced TV film ‘Mandela’.
Over the next few years, Woodard starred in comedy films such as ‘Scrooged’ released in 1988 and ‘Firecracker’ released in 1989.
In 1991, Alfre Woodard starred in the critically acclaimed drama film directed by Lawrence Kasdan titled ‘Grand Canyon’. Woodard received praise for her performance in the film.
Her breakout role came in the 1992 drama film ‘Passion Fish’ in which she starred opposite Mary McDonnell. Woodard who played nurse ‘Chantelle’ received critical acclaim for her exceptional performance.
In 1992, she starred in the comedy-fantasy film ‘Heart and Souls’ alongside Robert Downey Jr. Woodard was nominated for ‘Best Supporting Actress’ at the Saturn Award for her role in the film.
In 1993, she acted opposite Danny Glover in the drama film ‘Bopha!’. She also played the lead role in the 1994 Spike Lee film ‘Crooklyn’ which received good reviews from critics.
She acted alongside Ellen Burstyn, Kate Nelligan, Anne Bancroft, Winona Ryder and Maya Angelou in the all-female drama film ‘How to Make an American Quilt’ in 1995.
In 1996, she starred in the movie ‘Primal Fear’ alongside Richard Gere and Edward Norton. During that same year, she played Zefram Cochrane’s assistant Lily Sloane in the sci-fi movie ‘Star Trek: First Contact’.
In 1997, she played the leading roles in the film adaption of the Carson McCullers novel ‘The Member of the Wedding’ and the HBO produced ‘Miss Evers’ Boys’.
In 1998, Woodard played the leading role of an alcoholic single mother from Chicago who is forced to spend a summer in Mississippi with her uncle, in the independent drama film ‘Down in the Delta’ directed by Maya Angelou.
In 1999, she acted in the comedy-drama movie ‘Mumford’ directed by Lawrence Kasdan. She was joined by her ‘Passion Fish’ co-star Mary McDonnell in the movie.
In 2000, Woodard received a Golden Globe nomination for her performance as a drug addict in the movie ‘Holiday Heart’. During the same year, she also voiced the character of ‘Pino’ a lemur in the Walt Disney animated film ‘Dinosaur’.
In 2003, she was a guest star on two episode of the series ‘The Practise’. She won her fourth Primetime Emmy Award for her performance.
In 2005, Woodard played Betty White in the ABC produced comedy-drama series ‘Desperate Housewives’. Her performance helped her garner heavy attention from the media.
In 2008, she starred in the drama film ‘The Family That Preys’ directed by Tyler Perry. Her performance in the movie was highly appreciated.
Woodard appeared in the independent drama movie ‘American Violet’ in 2009. She played the mother of a 24-year-old African-American woman unjustly incarcerated in a drug bust.
From 2010 to 2011, she starred as Lt. Tanya Rice in the TNT comedy-drama series ‘Memphis Beat’ Woodard won a Gracie Allen Award for her performance in the series.
In 2010, she also was cast to play Ruby Jean Reynolds in the third season of HBO's dark fantasy horror series ‘True Blood’.
In 2012, she played Ouiser in the remake of the 1989 comedy-drama movie ‘Steel Magnolias’.
She played the role of Mistress Harriet Shaw in the 2013 historical drama ‘12 Years a Slave’.
It was announced on 21 March 2014, that Woodard was cast to play the role of the first female President of the United States in political drama ‘State of Affairs’ produced by NBC. The series was however canceled after only one season due to poor ratings and viewership.
In 2016, she played the small role of Miriam Sharpe in the Marvel movie ‘Captain America: Civil War’. She played Mariah Dillard in the Netflix series ‘Luke Cage’, making this her second role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
In 2017, she starred as the title character in the indie drama film ‘Juanita’. She also co-starred alongside Michelle Monaghan in the movie ‘Saint Judy’ during the same year.
In 2018, she was cast to play the leading role of a prison warden in the prison drama film ‘Clemency’. Woodard also continues to star in the recurring role of Renee, in the Fox prime time soap opera ‘Empire’.
Major Works
In 1983, she starred alongside Mary Steenburgen in Martin Ritt directed, biography drama movie ‘Cross Creek’, for which she received an Academy Award nomination for ‘Best Supporting Actress’. During the same year, she won her first Primetime Emmy Award for her role as Doris Robson in the NBC series ‘Hill Street Blues’.
Achievements
Alfre Woodard was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in November 2014 for her valuable contributions to modern day American cinema.
Personal Life & Legacy
Alfre Woodard married her longtime boyfriend, Roderick M. Spencer, on 21 October 1983. They have two children, Mavis Spencer and Duncan Spencer.
Trivia
Alfre Woodard made history at the 2013 Emmy Awards when she received 17 nominations for 16 different roles.
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Alfre Woodard biography timelines
- // 8th Nov 1952Alfre Woodard was born on 8 November 1952 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Marion H. Woodard, an entrepreneur as well as part-time interior designer and Constance Woodard, a homemaker. She has two older siblings.
- // 1970She graduated in 1970 from Bishop Kelley High School, a private Catholic school in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she was a cheerleader. Later. she studied at Boston University where she earned her bachelor’s in fine arts and theatre.
- // 1974 To 1976She first began honing her acting skills at the Mark Taper Forum and made her professional theater debut in 1974 on Washington, D.C.'s Arena Stage. In 1976, she moved to Los Angeles, California.
- // 1977She began her career by acting in 1977, in the off-broadway pla,y ‘For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf’. This was her breakthrough role.
- // 1978Alfre Woodard made her film debut in the 1978 movie, ‘Remember My Name’, directed by Alan Rudolph. She also starred in the leading role alongside Samuel L. Jackson in the TV movie ‘The Trial of the Moke’ during the same year.
- // 1980 To 1981In 1980, she secured a role in the Robert Altman directed ensemble comedy movie titled ‘Health’. Woodard appeared in the NBC produced television miniseries ‘The Sophisticated Gents’ in 1981.
- // 1982 To 1983From 1982 to 1983, she was a series regular in the comedy-drama ‘Tucker’s Witch’ alongside Tim Matheson and Catherine Hicks.
- // 1982 To 1986She co-starred alongside Farrah Fawcett in the 1986 drama film ‘Extremities’ which is based on the eponymous 1982 play by William Mastrosimone.
- // 1983In 1983, she starred alongside Mary Steenburgen in Martin Ritt directed, biography drama movie ‘Cross Creek’, for which she received an Academy Award nomination for ‘Best Supporting Actress’. During the same year, she won her first Primetime Emmy Award for her role as Doris Robson in the NBC series ‘Hill Street Blues’.
- // 21st Oct 1983Alfre Woodard married her longtime boyfriend, Roderick M. Spencer, on 21 October 1983. They have two children, Mavis Spencer and Duncan Spencer.
- // 1985In 1985, she co-starred along Geena Davis in the sitcom ‘Sara’ which was canceled after a brief run.
- // 1987In 1987, she portrayed South African Civil Rights Activist ‘Winnie Mandela’ in the HBO produced TV film ‘Mandela’.
- // 1988 To 1989Over the next few years, Woodard starred in comedy films such as ‘Scrooged’ released in 1988 and ‘Firecracker’ released in 1989.
- // 1989 To 2012In 2012, she played Ouiser in the remake of the 1989 comedy-drama movie ‘Steel Magnolias’.
- // 1991In 1991, Alfre Woodard starred in the critically acclaimed drama film directed by Lawrence Kasdan titled ‘Grand Canyon’. Woodard received praise for her performance in the film.
- // 1992Her breakout role came in the 1992 drama film ‘Passion Fish’ in which she starred opposite Mary McDonnell. Woodard who played nurse ‘Chantelle’ received critical acclaim for her exceptional performance.
- // 1992In 1992, she starred in the comedy-fantasy film ‘Heart and Souls’ alongside Robert Downey Jr. Woodard was nominated for ‘Best Supporting Actress’ at the Saturn Award for her role in the film.
- // 1993 To 1994In 1993, she acted opposite Danny Glover in the drama film ‘Bopha!’. She also played the lead role in the 1994 Spike Lee film ‘Crooklyn’ which received good reviews from critics.
- // 1995She acted alongside Ellen Burstyn, Kate Nelligan, Anne Bancroft, Winona Ryder and Maya Angelou in the all-female drama film ‘How to Make an American Quilt’ in 1995.
- // 1996In 1996, she starred in the movie ‘Primal Fear’ alongside Richard Gere and Edward Norton. During that same year, she played Zefram Cochrane’s assistant Lily Sloane in the sci-fi movie ‘Star Trek: First Contact’.
- // 1997In 1997, she played the leading roles in the film adaption of the Carson McCullers novel ‘The Member of the Wedding’ and the HBO produced ‘Miss Evers’ Boys’.
- // 1998In 1998, Woodard played the leading role of an alcoholic single mother from Chicago who is forced to spend a summer in Mississippi with her uncle, in the independent drama film ‘Down in the Delta’ directed by Maya Angelou.
- // 1999In 1999, she acted in the comedy-drama movie ‘Mumford’ directed by Lawrence Kasdan. She was joined by her ‘Passion Fish’ co-star Mary McDonnell in the movie.
- // 2000In 2000, Woodard received a Golden Globe nomination for her performance as a drug addict in the movie ‘Holiday Heart’. During the same year, she also voiced the character of ‘Pino’ a lemur in the Walt Disney animated film ‘Dinosaur’.
- // 2003In 2003, she was a guest star on two episode of the series ‘The Practise’. She won her fourth Primetime Emmy Award for her performance.
- // 2005In 2005, Woodard played Betty White in the ABC produced comedy-drama series ‘Desperate Housewives’. Her performance helped her garner heavy attention from the media.
- // 2008In 2008, she starred in the drama film ‘The Family That Preys’ directed by Tyler Perry. Her performance in the movie was highly appreciated.
- // 2009Woodard appeared in the independent drama movie ‘American Violet’ in 2009. She played the mother of a 24-year-old African-American woman unjustly incarcerated in a drug bust.
- // 2010 To 2011From 2010 to 2011, she starred as Lt. Tanya Rice in the TNT comedy-drama series ‘Memphis Beat’ Woodard won a Gracie Allen Award for her performance in the series.
- // 2010In 2010, she also was cast to play Ruby Jean Reynolds in the third season of HBO's dark fantasy horror series ‘True Blood’.
- // 2013She played the role of Mistress Harriet Shaw in the 2013 historical drama ‘12 Years a Slave’.
- // 2013Alfre Woodard made history at the 2013 Emmy Awards when she received 17 nominations for 16 different roles.
- // 21st Mar 2014It was announced on 21 March 2014, that Woodard was cast to play the role of the first female President of the United States in political drama ‘State of Affairs’ produced by NBC. The series was however canceled after only one season due to poor ratings and viewership.
- // Nov 2014Alfre Woodard was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in November 2014 for her valuable contributions to modern day American cinema.
- // 2016In 2016, she played the small role of Miriam Sharpe in the Marvel movie ‘Captain America: Civil War’. She played Mariah Dillard in the Netflix series ‘Luke Cage’, making this her second role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
- // 2017In 2017, she starred as the title character in the indie drama film ‘Juanita’. She also co-starred alongside Michelle Monaghan in the movie ‘Saint Judy’ during the same year.
- // 2018In 2018, she was cast to play the leading role of a prison warden in the prison drama film ‘Clemency’. Woodard also continues to star in the recurring role of Renee, in the Fox prime time soap opera ‘Empire’.
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Alfre Woodard's FAQ
What is Alfre Woodard birthday?
Alfre Woodard was born at 1952-11-08
Where is Alfre Woodard's birth place?
Alfre Woodard was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma
What is Alfre Woodard nationalities?
Alfre Woodard's nationalities is American
Who is Alfre Woodard spouses?
Alfre Woodard's spouses is Roderick Spencer (m. 1983)
Who is Alfre Woodard childrens?
Alfre Woodard's childrens is Duncan Spencer, Mavis Spencer
What was Alfre Woodard universities?
Alfre Woodard studied at Boston University, Boston University
What was Alfre Woodard notable alumnis?
Alfre Woodard's notable alumnis is Boston University
How tall is Alfre Woodard?
Alfre Woodard's height is 160
Who is Alfre Woodard's father?
Alfre Woodard's father is Marion H. Woodard
Who is Alfre Woodard's mother?
Alfre Woodard's mother is Constance Woodard
What is Alfre Woodard's sun sign?
Alfre Woodard is Scorpio
How famous is Alfre Woodard?
Alfre Woodard is famouse as Actress
What is Alfre Woodard's twitter?
Alfre Woodard's twitter is http://www.twitter.com/alfrewoodard/