She is best known for her role as Florida Evans, on the CBS television sitcom Maude, for two seasons (1972–1974), and its spin-off series Good Times, for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Television Series Musical or Comedy in 1976.

Esther Rolle. Actress: Driving Miss Daisy. Best known for the role of Florida Evans on the 1970s sitcoms Maude (1972) and Good Times (1974), African-American actress Esther Rolle proved to be as spirited and iron-willed off-camera as well.

Mar 30, 2022 · In a desperate bid to shore up the show's popularity, the producers convinced Rolle to come back for a final season in 1978-79, but the damage had already been done.

Nov 18, 1998 · Esther Rolle, the strong-willed mother on the hit television sitcom Good Times (1974-79) who also appeared in the films Driving Miss Daisy (1989) and Rosewood (1997), died early Wednesday just 10...

Mar 13, 2025 · Today, Esther Rolle is remembered as one of the most beloved sitcom actresses of the 1970s. She is also remembered for unapologetically advocating for positive representation of Black Americans on television, and pushing back against stereotypes.

Esther Rolle was an American actress known for her performances on CBS Television’s sitcoms. Esther Elizabeth Rolle was born on November 8, 1920 in Pompano Beach, Florida, to Jonathan and Elizabeth Rolle.

Jul 31, 2007 · Esther Rolle was an actress primarily recognized for her role as principled, spirited Florida Evans who was first the maid on the Norman Lear sitcom Maude (starring Beatrice Arthur) and later was spun off into the starring role as the mother in …

Dec 11, 2024 · Esther Rolle, a trailblazing actress, is best remembered for her powerful portrayal of Florida Evans in the iconic sitcoms “Maude” and “Good Times.” A pioneer for African American representation in television, Rolle’s life was marked by her commitment to the arts, her family values, and her unwavering advocacy for social justice.

Apr 14, 2025 · Esther Rolle was an American actress who rose to fame for her role as Florida Evans, the matriarch of a working-class Black family, on the sitcoms Maude and Good Times. She was also a stage performer, an Emmy Award winner, and an outspoken advocate for racial justice and positive representation…

Dec 30, 2023 · The Early Life of a Trailblazer: Esther Rolle Before Stardom. Born on November 8th, 1920, Esther Rolle’s journey from the daughter of Bahamian immigrants to a recognized name in American households is a narrative steeped in determination and unyielding drive.