Before becoming an actress, Estelle Evans, the sister of distinguished African American actress Esther Rolle, taught in New York City schools for 14 years. While studying acting, the Hunter College graduate, shared courses with such distinguished actors as Sidney Poitier and Harry Belafonte. Evans played supporting roles in films such as The Quiet One and To Kill a Mockingbird (1962). In 1969 Evans had a lead role in Learning Tree.
Estelle Evans
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- One of 18 siblings; she and the elder children were born in the Bahamas, and the rest of the brood (including sister Esther Rolle) was born after the family moved to Florida.
- Worked for the New York City public school district before becoming an actor.
- Studied with the American Negro Theatre in Harlem, N.Y.
- Made her Broadway debut in the play Our Lan' in 1947.