Paulene Myers


Paulene Elenora Myers was an American actress. Variations on the spelling of her name include Pauline Myers and Pauline Meyers. 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

Born in Ocilla, Georgia, Myers was the daughter of Zachariah and Annie Benbow Myers; her family relocated to East Orange, New Jersey, when she was a child. She studied acting at the New York Theatre School and the Actors Studio West in Beverly Hills, California. Myers made her Broadway debut in 1933 in"Growin' 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.

Television roles

Among the many roles she played, some of her most notable were Mrs. Ward on the NBC-TV 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 titled "Archie's Civil Rights", and Grandma Jane on the CBS 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 CBS sitcom series Good Times, as well as roles on Sanford and Son, , The San Pedro Beach Bums, The Cosby Show, The Jeffersons, 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 for the final two years of her life. She was interred in Chester Rural Cemetery.

Partial filmography