Entertainment · Film · 5 hrs ago
Actor Irma P. Hall, known for ‘Soul Food’ and ‘The Ladykillers,’ dies at 91
Actor Irma P. Hall died Tuesday in Dallas at age 91, her family said.
Many viewers knew her as Big Mama, the family matriarch in the 1997 film ‘Soul Food,’ a role that earned her an NAACP Image Award.
Hall also won a Cannes Film Festival Jury Prize for playing landlady Marva Munson in the Coen brothers’ 2004 comedy ‘The Ladykillers.’
Her acting career gained wider attention when she was 60, after she had spent decades teaching and developing her craft onstage and in smaller screen roles.
Hall taught in Dallas public schools for more than two decades before making acting her full-time work in the 1980s.
She helped establish the Dallas Minority Repertory Theatre and supported young artists, while also serving her Dallas church community.
The Irma P. Hall Black Theatre awards have been held annually since 2015 to recognize artistic achievement in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Actor Irma P. Hall, known for “Soul Food” and “The Ladykillers,” died Tuesday in Dallas at 91.
Her family announced her death Wednesday; no cause was given.
Hall played Big Mama in the 1997 film “Soul Food,” a role that earned her an NAACP Image Award.
She received a Cannes Film Festival Jury Prize for playing Marva Munson in the 2004 film “The Ladykillers.”
Before acting became her full-time work, Hall taught for more than two decades and helped establish the Dallas Minority Repertory Theatre.
- Who
- Irma P. Hall, a veteran actor known for “Soul Food” and “The Ladykillers.
- What
- She died at 91. Her family announced her death, and no cause was given.
- When
- Tuesday; her family announced her death Wednesday. The articles do not state the calendar date of her death.
- Where
- Dallas, Texas.
- Why
- Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Hall was born Irma Dolores Player in Beaumont, Texas, according to CNN.
Actor and director Raymond St. Jacques cast Hall in his film “Book of Numbers” after hearing her recite poetry in Dallas.
Hall made acting her full-time work after continuing to teach while taking roles.
Hall played Big Mama in “Soul Food” and won an NAACP Image Award for the role.
Hall received a Cannes Film Festival Jury Prize for her performance in “The Ladykillers.
Hall died in Dallas at 91, according to the articles.
- Age at death
- 91
- Known role
- Big Mama in the 1997 film “Soul Food
- Cannes honor
- Jury Prize for “The Ladykillers” (2004)
- Teaching career
- More than two decades, according to CNN; 27 years, according to the Guardian
- Theater work
- Helped establish the Dallas Minority Repertory Theatre
- Family announcement
- Her daughter was Irma Hall Crayton
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What people are saying
She started as a teacher in the classroom but ended up being a teacher to the world.
Our beloved Church Mother, Irma P Hall, has taken her final bow on the stage of life and stepped into eternity,
I was just concentrating on developing this craft,
I always believed I could do whatever I wanted,