HC
Hope Clarke
Actor
Born March 23, 1941 (83 years)
Hope Clarke is an American actress, dancer, vocalist, choreographer, and director. Clarke performed as principal dancer with the Katherine Dunham Company and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, 1960s; actress on stage, film, and television, 1970s–1980s; choreographer and director, 1980s--. Clarke served on the Tony Awards Nominating Committee for the 2011–12 Broadway season. Clarke made history in 1995 when she became the first African American, as well as the first African-American woman, to direct and choreograph a major staging of the opera-musical Porgy and Bess. Clarke's production of the George Gershwin classic was staged in celebration of the work's 60h anniversary, and it toured not only major American cities but Japan and Europe as well. Clarke drew critical acclaim for her commitment to staging the show as a monument to African-American community and pride, giving a more hopeful, positive aura to a story that has been criticized for its stereotypes. As for the director herself, the success of Porgy and Bess is just the latest accolade in a long career devoted to dance and drama.
Filmography
| 2023 | Rustin · as Lucille Randolph |
| 2004 | Men Without Jobs · as Ms. Jackson |
| 2000 | Seventeen Again · as Grandma Cat Donovan |
| 1996 | Basquiat · as Matilde |
| 1994 | New York Undercover (TV Series) · as Marilyn Ferris |
| 1990 | Law & Order (TV Series) · as Mrs. Marbury |
| 1987 | Angel Heart · as Voodoo Dancer |
| 1986 | Amen (TV Series) · as Carol Wilson |
| 1985 | Into the Night · as Airport Cop |
| 1984 | Beat Street · as Dancing Instructor |
| 1982 | The New Odd Couple (TV Series) · as Beth St. Clair |
| 1982 | Lois Gibbs and the Love Canal · as Chris |
| 1981 | Hill Street Blues (TV Series) |
| 1980 | Scout's Honor · as Mrs. Prewett |
| 1979 | Hart to Hart (TV Series) |
| 1979 | The Ropers (TV Series) |
| 1979 | Jennifer: A Woman's Story · as Annie |
| 1978 | The White Shadow (TV Series) · as Aunt Edna Hayward |
| 1978 | King (1978) (TV Series) · as Mary |
| 1977 | A Piece of the Action · as Sarah Thomas |
| 1977 | |
| 1976 | Three's Company (TV Series) · as Second Nurse |
| 1976 | What's Happening!! (TV Series) |
| 1975 | The Jeffersons (TV Series) |
| 1974 | Good Times (TV Series) |
| 1973 | Book of Numbers · as Pigmeat Goins |
| 1971 | Going Home · as Mother At Prison |
| 1969 | Change of Mind · as Nancy |
| 1967 | N.Y.P.D. (TV Series) · as Ivy |