Ethel Ayler

Ethel Ayler (May 1, 1930 – November 18, 2018) was an American character actress known for her work in film, television, and theater. Born in Whistler, Alabama, Ayler began her career in the late 1950s. She made her off-Broadway debut in Langston Hughes' musical, Simply Heavenly, and later appeared on Broadway in the Tony Award-nominated musical, Jamaica. Ayler also gained recognition for her performance in Jean Genet's play, The Blacks: A Clown Show, which ran off-Broadway for over 1,400 performances. Throughout her career, she frequently collaborated with the Negro Ensemble Company and appeared in notable productions such as The First Breeze of Summer, Eden, and Nevis Mountain Dew. Ayler had a recurring role on television as well.