Carol Sutton (actress)

Carol Joan Sutton (née Dickerson; December 3, 1944[1] – December 10, 2020) was an American actress of theater, film and television. She was best known for her appearances in the films Steel Magnolias, Monster's Ball, and Ray.

Carol Sutton
Born
Carol Dickerson

(1944-12-03)December 3, 1944
DiedDecember 10, 2020(2020-12-10) (aged 76)
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Resting placeMount Olivet Cemetery
OccupationActress
Years active1974–2020
SpouseArchie Sutton (divorced)
Children2
RelativesOris Buckner III; brother

Biography

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Carol Dickerson was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. She attended the Xavier University Preparatory School and then later enrolled at Xavier University of Louisiana, but dropped out of the latter after marrying Archie Sutton, whom she later divorced.[2] She worked for Total Community Action and earned certification in early childhood development from Texas Southern University in Houston.[3] She was also a parishioner at St Francis de Sales Catholic Church in New Orleans.[4] Her brother Oris Buckner III was a New Orleans homicide detective who revealed widespread corruption and racism in the New Orleans police department.[5]

Sutton died from complications of COVID-19 on December 10, 2020, seven days after her 76th birthday, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in New Orleans.[6][7][2][8] She is interred at Mount Olivet Cemetery in New Orleans, Louisiana. The sixth episode of the second season of Outer Banks, titled "My Druthers", is dedicated in her memory.

Acting career

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She joined the Dashiki Project Theatre in the 1960s.[9] Her acting debut came in the 1974 television film The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman. [10]

Sutton devoted much of her career to the theater and also served as an acting teacher in her hometown.[11][12] She recorded a large number of supporting roles in American film and television, participating in productions such as The Pelican Brief, Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh, American Horror Story: Coven, True Detective, Kidnap, The Last Exorcism, Outer Banks and Killer Joe.[6][13]

In 2012, Sutton received a New Orleans Lifetime Achievement Award.[14]

In 2019, Sutton played Lena Younger in A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry.[15]

Filmography

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Film and television

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References

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  1. ^ https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2SNX-483 (registration required)
  2. ^ a b Haring, Bruce (December 12, 2020). "Carol Sutton Dies: Acclaimed New Orleans Actress For Film, TV Was 76". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  3. ^ Pope, John (December 11, 2020). "Carol Sutton, 'mesmerizing' New Orleans actress for half century, dies at 76". NOLA.com. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  4. ^ Pope, John (2020-10-11). "Carol Sutton, 'mesmerizing' New Orleans actress for half century, dies at 76". www.nola.com. Archived from the original on 2020-12-12. Retrieved 2020-12-14.
  5. ^ Risen, Clay (June 8, 2022). "Oris Buckner, Detective Who Blew Whistle on Police Abuse, Dies at 70". The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 8, 2022.
  6. ^ a b "New Orleans actress Carol Sutton dies from complications of COVID-19". WDSU. 2020-12-11. Retrieved 2020-12-11.
  7. ^ "Actress Carol Sutton dies from COVID-19 complications". MSN. Retrieved 2020-12-11.
  8. ^ Kennedy, Mark (December 12, 2020). "New Orleans stage and screen actor Carol Sutton dies at 76". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved December 12, 2020.[permanent dead link]
  9. ^ Thompkins, Gwen (13 December 2020). "Carol Sutton, New Orleans Star Known For Role In 'Steel Magnolias,' Dies At 76". NPR.org. Retrieved 2020-12-15.
  10. ^ Lee, Janet W. (2020-12-12). "Carol Sutton, Actor in 'Steel Magnolias' and 'Queen Sugar,' Dies of COVID-19 at 76". Variety. Retrieved 2020-12-15.
  11. ^ "Carol Sutton theatre profile". About the Artists. Retrieved 2020-12-11.
  12. ^ DeBerry, Jarvis (30 May 2013). "New Orleans and New Orleans actress Carol Sutton featured in hot Alicia Keys music video". NOLA. Retrieved 2020-12-11.
  13. ^ "Carol Sutton | TV Guide". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2020-12-11.
  14. ^ "Carol Sutton: Steel Magnolias actress dies from Covid-19". BBC News. December 12, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  15. ^ Fortin, Jacey (2020-12-15). "Carol Sutton, a Stage and Screen Actress Devoted to New Orleans, Dies at 76". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-12-15.
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