Beverly Todd

Beverly Todd (born July 11, 1946) is an American actress, producer and writer. She is known for her roles in films Brother John (1971), Moving (1988), Lean on Me (1989) and The Bucket List (2007).

Beverly Todd
Beverly Todd at the 2008 MovieGuide Faith and Values Awards Gala
Born (1946-07-11) July 11, 1946
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
OccupationActress, producer, screenwriter
Years active1968–present
Spouse(s)Kris Keiser (divorced)
ChildrenMalik Smith (deceased; murdered)

Life and career

Todd was born in Chicago, IL,[1] the daughter of Virena Todd.[2] She began her acting career in the Off-Broadway production of Deep Are the Roots, and later performed in the London productions of No Strings and Blues for Mr. Charlie.[3]

Todd played main role in the Broadway comedy play Carry Me Back to Morningside Heights directed by Sidney Poitier.[3] She later appeared opposite Poitier, who was her mentor early in her career, in films such as The Lost Man (1969), They Call Me Mister Tibbs! (1970), Brother John (1971). and A Piece of the Action (1977). On television, she was regular cast member on the daytime soap opera, Love of Life, from 1968 to 1970, and in 1977 the educational show The Write Channel on PBS. Todd was nominated an NAACP Image Award for her performance in the critically acclaimed PBS production of Six Characters in Search of an Author (1976).[3] She received her second NAACP Image Award nomination for her role in the ABC miniseries, Roots.[3]

Todd had the female leading roles in films Moving (1988) opposite Richard Pryor, and Lean on Me (1989) with Morgan Freeman. She was married to film producer-director Kris Keiser. Their son, Malik Smith, died on March 20, 1989 at age 18 after being severely beaten at a teen youth center (no alcohol served or allowed) while on spring break.[4][5] She did not appear regularly on the screen during the 1990s, and returned to acting in 2002, with a recurring role in the HBO series, Six Feet Under. In 2004, she appeared as Don Cheadle's character's mother in the critically acclaimed film, Crash.[6] In 2007, she reunited with Morgan Freeman (who co-starred with her in Lean On Me), in the comedy-drama film, The Bucket List.[6] Todd also had supporting roles in the independent films The Lena Baker Story (2008) and I Will Follow (2011). On television, in earlier years Todd appeared in Barnaby Jones; episode titled, “The Bounty Hunter”(12/16/1976). Todd also guest starred on House, The Closer and Grey's Anatomy, and, in 2012, had the recurring role in the NBC daytime soap opera, Days of Our Lives as Celeste Perrault, the mother of Lexie Carver (Renée Jones).[7]

Filmography

Film

Television

References
  1. "6 Apr 1971, 37 - Daily News at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  2. Beverly Todd Biography (1946-)
  3. "Beverly Todd". myLifetime.com. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  4. "A Life Beyond the Grief : Two years ago, Beverly Todd's only son was beaten to death. 'You never get over it,' she says. 'You just learn to function.'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  5. Ward Biederman, Patricia (March 17, 1991). "A Life Beyond the Grief". The Los Angeles Times. p. J1,J8-9.
  6. "Beverly Todd". MSN. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  7. "Days of Our Lives casts co-star of The Bucket List - Inside TV - EW.com". EW.com. Retrieved October 22, 2014.

6. Demetria Fulton previewed Todd’s appearance in Barnaby Jones; episode titled, “The Bounty Hunter”(12/16/1976).

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