Did you know that Esther Rolle was very close to...........

[TVFactFan]

turning down the role of Florida the maid because she didn't want to be another hollywood maid like the previous black maids in the 30's and 40's. But Norman Lear explained to her that the Florida character will be a different type of maid and said that she will be real and stand up to Maude. So after hearing that, Esther Rolle took the role as Florida Evans.

This info came from a 1974 TV Guide

[nlearfan]

yes . . . "No, I don't want to be no Hollywood maid!" she said in 72.

_____________________
Dear Norman . . .
www.dear-norman.com

[glenny]

Originally Posted by nlearfan

yes . . . "No, I don't want to be no Hollywood maid!" she said in 72.

_____________________
Dear Norman . . .
www.dear-norman.com

She was'nt against playing one though in "Driving Miss Daisy" however.

[seventies_sitcoms]

I didn't know she was in "Driving Miss Daisy." It has been years since I watched that film.

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by nlearfan

yes . . . "No, I don't want to be no Hollywood maid!" she said in 72.

_____________________
Dear Norman . . .
www.dear-norman.com

I liked the story about how Norman Lear told her she was getting her own show and she ran to her dressing room and locked the door and said something like-"please don;t tell me I have my own show" I will get the exact quote later when i get home.

[nlearfan]

Interesting story - never heard that one


_____________________
Dear Norman . . .
www.dear-norman.com

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by nlearfan

Interesting story - never heard that one


_____________________
Dear Norman . . .
www.dear-norman.com

Ok here is the real story.

Norman Lear Told Esther Rolle on her Birthday, November 8, 1973, that she would be getting her own show. She then tore her hand away from Norman Lear and ran to her dressing room and locked herself inside crying for 15 minutes. She screamed-"Don Tell Me" and He said-"In spite of yourself I'm going to tell you"

[TripperFan]

Originally Posted by TVShow Analyzer

Ok here is the real story.

Norman Lear Told Esther Rolle on her Birthday, November 8, 1973, that she would be getting her own show. She then tore her hand away from Norman Lear and ran to her dressing room and locked herself inside crying for 15 minutes. She screamed-"Don Tell Me" and He said-"In spite of yourself I'm going to tell you"

Wow! Sounds more like maybe she had something against television and hoped to do more movies. Many actors/actresses did back then - they felt it was aimed at a "lesser" audience and was below them. It really wasn't until the likes of Carroll O'Connor (who had even been a Shakespearan actor) and Bill Cosby made it huge in t.v. that it started to look more viable.

That's all I can figure - I mean, geez, its sure a steady income for an actor - I wouldn't turn it down!

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by TripperFan

Wow! Sounds more like maybe she had something against television and hoped to do more movies. Many actors/actresses did back then - they felt it was aimed at a "lesser" audience and was below them. It really wasn't until the likes of Carroll O'Connor (who had even been a Shakespearan actor) and Bill Cosby made it huge in t.v. that it started to look more viable.

That's all I can figure - I mean, geez, its sure a steady income for an actor - I wouldn't turn it down!

I guess it was too much for her to handle when first told the wonderful news.

[Mr. Television]

Originally Posted by TripperFan

Wow! Sounds more like maybe she had something against television and hoped to do more movies. Many actors/actresses did back then - they felt it was aimed at a "lesser" audience and was below them. It really wasn't until the likes of Carroll O'Connor (who had even been a Shakespearan actor) and Bill Cosby made it huge in t.v. that it started to look more viable.

That's all I can figure - I mean, geez, its sure a steady income for an actor - I wouldn't turn it down!

Yea back then it was considered a bad career move when you went from movies to television. Its not considered as bad today.