Estelle Hemsley

Estelle Hemsley (May 5, 1887 – November 5, 1968) was a prominent African American actress of stage and screen. She appeared in the stage and screen versions of Take a Giant Step, earning a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress in the 1959 movie directed by Philip Leacock. Her other film roles include playing Grandmother Topouzoglou in Elia Kazan's 1963 movie America, America (nominated for the Oscar for Best Picture), the role of Cla-Cla in Mel Ferrer's 1959 film Green Mansions, the mother of Ruby Dee in Edge of the City, and Catherine in Robert Mulligan's 1965 movie Baby the Rain Must Fall.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes1948 The Return of Mandy's Husband Mandy 1957 Edge of the City Mrs. Price 1959 Green Mansions Cla-Cla 1959 Take a Giant Step Grandma 'Gram' Martin 1960 The Leech Woman Old Malla 1963 America, America Grandmother Topouzoglou 1965 Baby the Rain Must Fall Catherine