Today's Evil Beet Gossip

Suzzanne Douglas, veteran star of stage and screen, dies at 64

Aunjanue Ellis, Suzzanne Douglas, Kylie Bunbury and Niecy Nash in “When They See Us: The Central Park Five.”

Suzzanne Douglas, one of the many character actors who give the films you love the sincere depth, has passed away.

Her decades of film and stage contain some of the most important projects an actress can be a part of.  “When They See Us: The Central Park Five” is chiefly among them.  She also starred with Angela Bassett and Whoopi Goldberg in “How Stella Got Her Groove Back.

All we know is that she had multiple bouts with Cancer in the last few years.

“Don’t let poor health interrupt your purpose,” she posted on Facebook at the time. “God’s mission and plan for our lives takes our being committed to our mind, body and soul.”

Her passing was confirmed by her family Tuesday night.

“Suzzanne Douglas a beautiful and talented actress made her transition today,” her cousin Angie Tee posted to Facebook. “She warmed our hearts on movie screens and television sets all over the world. This beautiful soul was my cousin.”

Douglas was born in Chicago and raised in public housing, along with three siblings, by her single mother, Essence reported. She developed a passion for the arts at a young age, and earned a bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University, as well as a master’s in music from the Manhattan School of Music.

She appeared on Broadway — in “Into the Woods,” “Threepenny Opera” and “The Tap Dance Kid” — throughout the 1980s before segueing into films and television full time.

Tee continued in her tribute, “I can remember growing up, there weren’t very many black actresses who had starring roles — but there was my cousin with the lead role in “Tap” starring alongside great dancers such as Gregory Hines and Sammy Davis Jr.,” Tee said in her emotional social media homage. “She also performed with Angela Bassett and Whoopi Goldberg in “How Stella Got Her Groove Back,’ ‘The Inkwell,’ ‘Jason’s Lyric’ and so much more — the list goes on. The world will miss your talent but your soul will live on forever. Rest in Paradise my beautiful cousin Suzzane, you will be missed RIP”