Some people are already preparing to retire at 60, but Irma P. Hall didn’t land her major film roles until she was 60.
The former teacher, who taught English and foreign languages in Dallas public schools for more than 20 years, died in Dallas at the age of 91. She had never planned to become an actress. It was only after actor and director Raymond St. Jacques heard her recite poetry that she made her film debut in 1973.
What made more audiences remember her was her role in A Family Thing at age 60. Later, she played Big Mama, the matriarch who held the family together in Soul Food, winning an NAACP Image Award for the role. She also starred opposite Tom Hanks in the Coen brothers’ The Ladykillers and received the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival.
Her life story was remarkable: she spent more than 20 years standing in a classroom, then stepped onto a film set and turned an age often seen as too late into a true beginning.
Irma P. Hall didn’t find fame too late. She simply began her first act at the point when others thought the story was almost over.
As long as you keep building in a field you love, you can succeed. $BTC
The former teacher, who taught English and foreign languages in Dallas public schools for more than 20 years, died in Dallas at the age of 91. She had never planned to become an actress. It was only after actor and director Raymond St. Jacques heard her recite poetry that she made her film debut in 1973.
What made more audiences remember her was her role in A Family Thing at age 60. Later, she played Big Mama, the matriarch who held the family together in Soul Food, winning an NAACP Image Award for the role. She also starred opposite Tom Hanks in the Coen brothers’ The Ladykillers and received the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival.
Her life story was remarkable: she spent more than 20 years standing in a classroom, then stepped onto a film set and turned an age often seen as too late into a true beginning.
Irma P. Hall didn’t find fame too late. She simply began her first act at the point when others thought the story was almost over.
As long as you keep building in a field you love, you can succeed. $BTC
