Mary Alice

Mary Alice Smith, known professionally as Mary Alice, was an American television, film, and stage actress. She was born on December 3, 1936, in Indianola, Mississippi. Alice gained recognition for her roles as Leticia 'Lettie' Bostic on the sitcom A Different World from 1987 to 1989 and Effie Williams in the 1976 musical drama Sparkle. She won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress for her recurring role on the series I'll Fly Away. Alice also had a successful stage career and received a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her performance in August Wilson's Fences in 1987. Mary Alice passed away on July 27, 2022.