Olivia cole

Born on November 26, 1942 in Memphis, Tennessee, Olivia Cole studied drama at Bard College, New York, and was awarded a scholarship to enroll in acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, London, graduating with honors. She made her screen debut at the age of 10 in the series  The Guiding Light , and later played various characters in different episodes of  Police Woman .

It will be remembered above all for the series on the slavery of African-Americans  , Roots , a phenomenon, since 28 million viewers followed the first chapter in the United States, but the audience increased until it exceeded 100 million in the last installment. “Everyone everywhere is talking about this production, even those who haven’t seen it,” commented The New York Times. She played Mathilda, wife of cockfighting expert Chicken George, but against all odds, success didn’t make her a star. “I thought it would help us black actors, but it didn’t, my phone didn’t start to sound”, he recalled in an interview.

Despite everything, he continued to work at a good pace, playing a small role in  El regreso , along with  Jane Fonda , and taking part in miniseries such as  North and South , The Women of Brewster Place , or  Backstairs at the White House , for which he obtained another nomination. to the Emmys.

Married to fellow actor  Richard Venture , who died a few months before her, she ended up divorcing in 1984. She retired to Mexico, where she lived for 35 years, and although she never remarried, she had an intense social life due to her affable nature. .