Home   >   Movie Stars   >   N   >   Novella Nelson
Novella Nelson
  • Biography

Novella Nelson

On Broadway Novella Nelson originated the role of Aunt Missy in the musical Purlie, performed as Pearl Bailey's stand-by in Hello Dolly!, and appeared in Caesar & Cleopatra and The Little Foxes. Off-Broadway and regional theater acting credits include the Ariel Dorfman/Tony Kushner adaptation of Widows at the Mark Taper Forum, for which she was honored with a NAACP Image Award. After Joseph Papp saw her direction of Walter Jones' Nigger Nightmare she joined him at The Public Theater as Artistic Consultant from 1970-76, producing Sundays at the Public. Her film credits include An Unmarried Woman, Girl 6, Clockers, and The Cotton Club. Nelson's extensive television credits include Citizen Cohn, Law & Order, New York Undercover, and a recurring role as Judge Barbara Fitzwater on One Life to Live.

Note: This profile was written in or before 2004.

Novella Nelson Facts

OccupationActress
BirthdayDecember 17, 1939 (84)
SignSagittarius
BirthplaceBrooklyn, New York, USA

Selected Filmography

Not available.