Paulene Elenora Myers (November 9, 1913 – December 8, 1996) was an American actress. Variations on the spelling of her name include Pauline Myers and Pauline Meyers.Pauline Myers
at Internet Broadway Database She was a pioneer among African–American actors who performed on Broadway stage and appeared on many television series throughout her long career. Myers' career spanned over six decades.

Biography

Early life and career

Myers made her Broadway debut in 1933 in ''Growing Pains''. She was also featured in Broadway and national companies of major productions such as ''A Member of the Wedding'', ''Anna Lucasta'', and ''The Blacks''. Myers also worked as a model for sculptors and painters.

Television roles

Among the many roles she played, some of her most notable were Mrs. Ward on the

NBC-TV The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American English-language commercial broadcast television and radio network. The flagship property of the NBC Entertainment division of NBCUniversal, a division of Comcast, its headquarters are l ...

daytime soap opera '' Days of Our Lives'', and Judge Pittman, the star of a TV special, "I'll See You in Court;" Judge Morrisey from the ABC-TV soap '' General Hospital'', and a guest appearance as Judge Frances Mackenzie in an episode of ''

All in the Family ''All in the Family'' is an American television sitcom that aired on CBS for nine seasons, from January 12, 1971, to April 8, 1979. Afterwards, it was continued with the spin-off series ''Archie Bunker's Place'', which picked up where ''All in ...

'' titled "Archie's Civil Rights", and Grandma Jane on the

CBS CBS Broadcasting Inc., commonly shortened to CBS, the abbreviation of its former legal name Columbia Broadcasting System, is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the CBS Entertainm ...

variety/comedy series '' The Tony Orlando & Dawn Show''. Myers also appeared with fellow veteran black actor Richard Ward as Grandpa Evans's new ladyfriend, Lena, on the

sitcom series '' Good Times'', as well as roles on '' Sanford and Son'', '' Kolchak: The Night Stalker'', '' Mannix'', '' The San Pedro Beach Bums'', ''

The Cosby Show ''The Cosby Show'' is an American television sitcom co-created by and starring Bill Cosby, which aired Thursday nights for eight seasons on NBC between September 20, 1984, until April 30, 1992. The show focuses on an upper middle-class Africa ...

'', ''

The Jeffersons ''The Jeffersons'' is an American sitcom television series that was broadcast on CBS from January 18, 1975, to July 2, 1985, lasting 11 seasons and a total of 253 episodes. ''The Jeffersons'' is one of the longest-running sitcoms in history, ...

'', and '' Gunsmoke''.

Personal life and death

Myers lived in both Southern California for 23 years, and then in New York City for 12 years, and eventually settled in

Chester, Pennsylvania Chester is a city in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. Located within the Philadelphia Metropolitan Area, it is the only city in Delaware County and had a population of 32,605 as of the 2020 census. Incorporated in 1682, Chester i ...

, for the final two years of her life. She was interred in Chester Rural Cemetery.

Partial filmography

*''

Boomerang A boomerang () is a thrown tool, typically constructed with aerofoil sections and designed to spin about an axis perpendicular to the direction of its flight. A returning boomerang is designed to return to the thrower, while a non-returning ...

'' (1947) - Maid (uncredited) *''

Something of Value ''Something of Value'' is a 1957 American drama film directed by Richard Brooks and starring Rock Hudson, Dana Wynter, and Sidney Poitier. The film was reissued under the title ''Africa Ablaze''. The film, based on the book of the same name by ...

'' (1957) - Kikuyu Woman (uncredited) *'' Tarzan's Fight for Life'' (1958) - Native Mother (uncredited) *'' How to Make a Monster'' (1958) - Millie - the pedestrian *''

Take a Giant Step ''Take a Giant Step'' is a 1959 American coming-of-age drama film directed by Philip Leacock. The plot concerns a black teenager living in a predominantly white environment and having trouble coping as he reaches an age at which the realities of ...

'' (1959) - Violet *''

All the Fine Young Cannibals ''All the Fine Young Cannibals'' is a 1960 American film directed by Michael Anderson, based on the novel by Rosamond Marshall, starring Robert Wagner, Natalie Wood, Susan Kohner, George Hamilton and Pearl Bailey. Hamilton said that the film ...

'' (1960) - Nurse (uncredited) *''

To Kill a Mockingbird ''To Kill a Mockingbird'' is a novel by the American author Harper Lee. It was published in 1960 and was instantly successful. In the United States, it is widely read in high schools and middle schools. ''To Kill a Mockingbird'' has become ...

'' (1962) - Jesse - Dubose Servant Girl (uncredited) *'' Honeymoon Hotel'' (1964) - Hogan - Ross's Secretary *''

Shock Treatment ''Shock Treatment'' is a 1981 American musical comedy film directed by Jim Sharman, and co-written by Sharman and Richard O'Brien. It is a follow-up to the 1975 film ''The Rocky Horror Picture Show''. While not an outright sequel, the film do ...

'' (1964) - Dr. Walden *''

Fate Is the Hunter Destiny, sometimes referred to as fate (from Latin ''fatum'' "decree, prediction, destiny, fate"), is a predetermined course of events. It may be conceived as a predetermined future, whether in general or of an individual. Fate Although often ...

'' (1964) - Mother (uncredited) *''

Dear Heart ''Dear Heart'' is a 1964 American romantic-comedy film starring Glenn Ford and Geraldine Page as lonely middle-aged people who fall in love at a hotel convention. It was directed by Delbert Mann, from a screenplay by Tad Mosel. Its theme song " ...

'' (1964) - Florist *'' I'll Take Sweden'' (1965) - Eloise (uncredited) *''

The Third Day ''The Third Day'' is a 1965 suspense thriller film directed by Jack Smight and starring George Peppard and Elizabeth Ashley. It was based on a novel by Joseph Hayes. Plot Steve Mallory has been involved in a car crash, and it appears he has k ...

'' (1965) - Hannah - the Maid (uncredited) *'' Fitzwilly'' (1967) - Oberblatz' Secretary (uncredited) *'' Winning'' (1969) - Cleaning Woman (uncredited) *''

The Lost Man ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...

'' (1969) - Grandma *''

The Comic ''The Comic'' is a 1969 American Pathécolor comedy-drama film co-written, co-produced, and directed by Carl Reiner. It stars Dick Van Dyke as Billy Bright (which was the original title of the film), Michele Lee as Bright's love interest, and R ...

'' (1969) - Phoebe *'' ...tick...tick...tick...'' (1970) - Mrs. Harley *''Black Chariot'' (1971) *''La cavale'' (1971) *'' Lady Sings the Blues'' (1972) - Mrs. Edson *'' Maurie'' (1973) - Rosie *''

The Sting ''The Sting'' is a 1973 American caper film set in September 1936, involving a complicated plot by two professional grifters (Paul Newman and Robert Redford) to con a mob boss ( Robert Shaw).'' Variety'' film review; December 12, 1973, pag ...

'' (1973) - Alva Coleman *''

Lost in the Stars ''Lost in the Stars'' is a musical with book and lyrics by Maxwell Anderson and music by Kurt Weill, based on the novel ''Cry, the Beloved Country'' (1948) by Alan Paton. The musical premiered on Broadway in 1949; it was the composer's last work ...

'' (1974) - Grace Kumalo *'' Kolchak'' (1974, TV Series) - Mamalois Edmonds *'' Armaguedon'' (1977) *'' Bloodbrothers'' (1978) - Mrs. Pitt *''Deux'' (1989) - Nina Walkowicz *''

My Cousin Vinny ''My Cousin Vinny'' is a 1992 American comedy film directed by Jonathan Lynn, and written by Dale Launer, who also produced with Paul Schiff. The film stars Joe Pesci, Ralph Macchio, Marisa Tomei, Mitchell Whitfield, Lane Smith, Bruce McGill, a ...

'' (1992) - Constance Riley

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Myers, Paulene 1913 births 1996 deaths People from Ocilla, Georgia Actors from East Orange, New Jersey Actresses from New Jersey American film actresses American stage actresses African-American actresses American television actresses 20th-century American actresses Actors Studio alumni 20th-century African-American women 20th-century African-American people