Madge Sinclair

Madge Dorita Sinclair CD (née Walters; April 28, 1938 – December 20, 1995) was a Jamaican actress best known for her roles in Cornbread, Earl and Me, Convoy (1978), Coming to America (1988), Trapper John, M.D. (1980–1986), and the ABC TV miniseries Roots (1977). Sinclair also voiced the character of Sarabi, Mufasa's mate and Simba's mother, in the Disney animated feature film The Lion King (1994). A five-time Emmy Award nominee, Sinclair won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role as "Empress" Josephine in Gabriel's Fire in 1991.

Early life and education Born Madge Dorita Walters in Kingston, Jamaica, to Jamaican parents Herbert and Jemima Walters, Sinclair studied at Shortwood College for Women. After completing her studies, she worked as a teacher in Jamaica until 1966, when she left for New York to pursue her career in acting. Sinclair began acting with Joseph Papp's Public Theatre. In 1971 she portrayed Clytemnestra in the New York Shakespearean Festival production of The Wedding of Iphigenia.

Career Sinclair made her film debut as Mrs. Scott in Conrack (1974) opposite Jon Voight; a role which earned her a nomination for the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture. Her final acting role was in an episode of the sitcom Dream On, which first aired one month before her death.

Personal life Sinclair was married to Royston Sinclair, a Jamaican police officer, from 1956 until 1969 and had two sons with him.

Death Sinclair died on December 20, 1995, aged 57, following a 13-year battle with leukemia. Her remains were cremated She was posthumously awarded the Order of Distinction, rank of Commander, for service in the performing arts by Prime Minister of Jamaica, P. J. Patterson in October 2000.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1972 The Witches of Salem: The Horror and the Hope Tituba Short 1974 I Love You... Good-bye Salesgirl Conrack Mrs. Scott Nominated—NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture 1975 Cornbread, Earl and Me Leona Hamilton 1976 I Will, I Will... for Now Dr. Williams Leadbelly Miss Eula 1978 Convoy Widow Woman Uncle Joe Shannon Margaret 1986 Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home Saratoga Captain Uncredited 1988 Coming to America Queen Aoleon 1990 The End of Innocence Nurse Bowlin 1994 The Lion King Sarabi Voice; final film role

Television films Year Title Role Notes 1975 Guess Who's Coming to Dinner Sarah Prentiss 1978 One in a Million: The Ron LeFlore Story Georgia LeFlore 1980 Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones Mrs. Jefferson High Ice Dr. Pittman 1987 Look Away Elizabeth Keckley 1992 Jonathan: The Boy Nobody Wanted Faye Lincoln

Television series Year Title Role Notes 1972 Sesame Street Dr. Marzullo Episode 0343: Measles vaccination Madigan Boots Episode: "The Midtown Beat" 1974 Medical Center Arbiter Episode: "Tainted Lady" The Waltons Minnie Doze Episode: "The Visitor" 1975 Joe Forrester Sheila Gates Episode: "Stake Out" Doctors' Hospital n/a Episode: "Come at Last to Love" 1976 Executive Suite Judge Gillespie Episode: "Who Shall Hall Bring Mercy" 1977 Roots Bell Reynolds 3 episodesNominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Serpico Michelle Episode: "One Long Tomorrow" 1978 ABC Afterschool Specials Mrs. Bradsbury Episode: "The Rag Tag Champs" 1979 The White Shadow Louelia Judd Episode: "Sudden Death" 1980–1986 Trapper John, M.D. Ernestine Shoop 129 episodesNominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (1983–85) 1984 ABC Afterschool Specials Miss Thomas Episode: "Backwards: The Riddle of Dyslexia" 1987 Mathnet Amelia Airliver Episode: "Problem of the Trojan Hamburger" Ohara Gussie Lemmons 11 episodes Starman Lorraine Michaels Episode: "The Test" 1989 Gideon Oliver Angela Holmes Episode: "By the Waters of Babylon" Roseanne Muriel Johnston Episode: "Guilt by Disassociation" Midnight Caller Ida May Episode: "Take Back the Streets" 1990–1991 Gabriel's Fire Empress Josephine 22 episodesPrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama SeriesNominated—Viewers for Quality Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Quality Drama Series 1991–1992 Pros and Cons Josephine Austin 12 episodes 1991 The Orchid House Lally 4 episodes 1992 L.A. Law Jessica Rollins Episode: "Diet, Diet My Darling" 1992 Tales from the Crypt Lucille Episode: "Curiosity Killed" 1993 Alex Haley's Queen Dora Episode 3 Star Trek: The Next Generation Captain Silva La Forge Episode: "Interface" 1994–1995 Me and the Boys Mary Tower 19 episodes 1995 Dream On Mrs. Charles Episode: "Little Orphan Eddie"