Ernestine McClendon

Ernestine McClendon (1914 – 1991) was an American actress, comedian, activist, talent agent, and entrepreneur. She was the first Black talent agent in New York City, and the first talent agent to represent Black talent. Her career spanned the latter half of the 20th century.

Early life

Ernestine McClendon was born Ernestine Epps in Norfolk, Virginia on August 17, 1914 to Edward E. Epps and Lillie Warren.

Epps was educated at Virginia State College, an HBCU.

Career in New York

McClendon had been acting since her time at Columbia University, but in 1950, she landed her first television role as Clementine on No Time for Comedy, and this launched her eighteen-year successful acting and comedy career. She later made a guest appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show with Markham. From there, McClendon went on to manage actors of all races for Arnold's agency, and in 1963, she opened McClendon Enterprises. For much of the sixties, McClendon was a high-profile advocate for Black actors, placing clients in all kinds of roles including theater, television, movies, radio, and nightclubs. McClendon went on to work with notable clients such as Raymond St. Jacques, Gloria Foster, Gail Fisher, and Morgan Freeman.

In 1980, McClendon closed her agency and returned to performing. She appeared in the television series Remington Steele and the mini-series Atlanta Child Murders; movies Homer and Eddie and Secret Agent 00 Soul; and made her debut as a stand-up comedian in 1984, at the age of 71.

On September 23, 1991, Ernestine McClendon died of cancer at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 77.