Mary Alice

Mary Alice Smith (born December 3, 1941), known professionally as Mary Alice, is an American film, television and stage actress. Alice has appeared in over 50 television shows and feature films over the course of her career which spanned over four decades. Alice is best known for her most notable roles; Leticia "Lettie" Bostic on NBC's A Different World (1987–1989), Effie Williams in the 1976 musical drama Sparkle. In addition to her career on television and film, Alice also performed on the theater stage; appearing in the 1987–88 stage production of August Wilson's Fences for which she received a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her work in 1987. 2Life and career Born Mary Alice Smith in Indianola, Mississippi, Alice is the daughter of Ozelar (née Jurnakin) and Sam Smith. Alice had an ability to act and began her career on stage in her hometown. Alice family moved from Mississippi to Chicago, Illinois when she was two years old. Alice graduated from Chicago Teacher's Union (now known as Chicago State University) and later taught at elementary school level. Alice started acting in community theater productions in the mid–1960s, appearing in three of playwright Douglass Turner Ward's plays; "Days of Absence" and "Happy Endings". In addition to acting in the plays, Alice also washed the cast's laundry for a salary of $200 a wee