Gail Fisher

Gail Fisher (August 18, 1935 – December 2, 2000) was an American actress who was one of the first Black women to play substantive roles in American television. She also won an NAACP Image Award in 1969. In addition to her acting career, Fisher was a successful jazz lyricist.

Early years The youngest of five children, Fisher was born in Orange, New Jersey. Her father died when she was two years old, and she was raised by her mother, Ona Fisher, who supported her family with a home-operated hair-styling business while living in the Potter's Crossing neighborhood of Edison, New Jersey. Gail graduated from Metuchen High School in Metuchen, New Jersey. During her teenage years, she was a cheerleader and entered several beauty contests, winning the titles of Miss Transit, Miss Black New Jersey, and Miss Press Photographer.

In a contest sponsored by Coca-Cola, Fisher won the opportunity to spend two years studying acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. As a student of acting in New York City, she worked with Lee Strasberg and became a member of the Repertory Theater at Lincoln Center, where she worked with Elia Kazan and Herbert Blau. In the same year, she appeared in a film sponsored by the US government called The New Girl in the Office, which depicted a fictional firm hiring its first African-American secretary to ensure compliance with federal contract requirements.

Also during the early 1960s, she appeared in a television commercial for All laundry detergent, which she said made her "the first Black female—no, make that Black, period—to make a national TV commercial, on camera, with lines." In 1965, Herbert Blau cast her in a theatrical production of Danton's Death. The song was covered by dozens of artists. Fisher wrote lyrics for another Adderley song, "Do Do Do (What Now is Next)," with music by Nat Adderley, featured on the Cannonball Adderley Quintet's 1967 album 74 Miles Away. On the album's liner notes, critic Leonard Feather calls Fisher "the prettiest songwriter in town." Fisher also wrote lyrics for an existing jazz standard, "Stolen Moments," composed by Oliver Nelson; the vocal version was first recorded by Carmen McRae and Betty Carter on their 1987 album The Carmen McRae – Betty Carter Duets.

Personal life Fisher was married and divorced three times. She had two daughters, Samara and Jole, from her 1964 marriage to John Levy. Jet magazine reported in its July 26, 1973 issue that she also was married to Robert A. Walker, a businessman from Los Angeles.

Death Fisher died in Los Angeles in 2000, aged 65, reportedly from kidney failure and emphysema. Twelve hours later, her brother Clifton died from heart failure.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 1960 The New Girl The New Girl in the Office Short film co–written by Lewis Freedman and Lester Cooper and directed by Freedman 1987 Mankillers Joan Hanson Action film written and directed by David A. Prior

Television Year Title Role Notes1959–60The Play of the Week Joyce Lane Episode: "Simply Heavenly" Episode: "Climate of Eden" 1962 The Defenders The Singer Episode: "Grandma TNT" 1963 The Doctors Diane 1967 He & She Helen Episode: "One of Our Firemen is Missing" The Second Hundred Years Young Matron Episode: "Luke's First Christmas" 1968 My Three Sons Carla Episode: "Gossip, Incorporated" 1968–1975 Mannix Peggy Fair 147 episodesGolden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series DramaGolden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television FilmPrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama SeriesNominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film (1972, 1974)Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (1971–1973) 1969 Love, American Style Mercy Segment: "Love and the Hustler" 1970 Insight Mrs. Carter Episode: "The Incident on Danker Street" 1971 Celebrity Bowling Herself 1971 Room 222 Diana Brown Episode: "Welcome Back, Miss Brown" Love, American Style Penny Segment: "Love and the Baby" 1972 Every Man Needs One Pauline Kramer Made-for-TV-film written by Carl Kleinschmitt and directed by Jerry Paris 1973 Match Game '73 Herself Game show 1975 Medical Center Bonnie Horne Episode: "Street Girl" 1979 Fantasy Island Dr. Frantz Episode: "Hit Man/The Swimmer" 1982 General Hospital Judge Heller 1983 Knight Rider Thelma Episode: "Short Notice" 1985 Hotel Fran Willis Episode: "Hearts and Minds" 1986 He's the Mayor Lila Episode: "Take My Father Please" 1990 Donor Secretary Made-for-TV-film written by Michael Braverman and directed by Larry Shaw

Awards and honors