Frances Helen Foster (née Brown; June 11, 1924 – June 17, 1997)Mapp, Edward (1978). Directory of Blacks in the Performing Arts. Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press. p. 120. . was an American film, television and stage actress. In addition to being an actress, Foster was also an award–winning stage director and an original member of the Negro Ensemble Company. Moreover, in 1955, she became the first African American to appear in a nationally broadcast television commercial.

Life and career Foster was born in Yonkers, New York, the daughter of George H. Brown, a postal worker, and Helen E. Lloyd."United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6K97-54QK : 10 February 2023), George H Brown in entry for Frances Helen Foster, . From 1949 through 1952, she studied acting at American Theatre Wing in Manhattan; three years later, she made her stage debut as Dolly May in The Wisteria Trees at the City Center Theater. That same year, several black-owned papers reported that Foster had, on Procter & Gamble's behalf, gained the distinction of being the first African American to appear in a nationally aired television commercial."Fran Foster to Do TV Commercial". The New York Age. May 7, 1955. p. 19. Retrieved December 4, 2023. See also: Many years later, in the days following her death, the New York Amsterdam News noted that Foster took great pride in being the one who had broken that barrier.

Foster was an original member of the Negro Ensemble Company,"Frances Foster, Acclaimed Actress, Dies in Fairfax, VA". Jet. July 7, 1997. p. 65. Retrieved December 5, 2023.Howell, Ron (March 1987). "20 Years of Theatrical Excellence". Ebony. p. 96. Retrieved December 5, 2023. performing in over 25 of its productions from 1967 to 1986. She won a 1985 Obie Award for sustained excellence of performance. She was also a recipient of two AUDELCO Awards, one as an actress and the other as a director for work at the New Federal Theatre in Manhattan. In 1978, she received the best actress award for Do Lord Remember Me, and the best director award in 1983 for Hospice.

Foster also appeared in several films, including Malcolm X, Crooklyn, and Clockers, as well as the recurring role of Vera on the soap opera Guiding Light from 1985 to 1994. She's also known for her appearance as Gertie Vinson in one of the most infamous episodes of Good Times, "The Dinner Party". (In that episode, the character of Gertie is forced to eat dog food.)

Personal life and death Foster was married at least three times. In 1941 she married Robert Standfield Foster, with whom she had one child, a son. In June 1961, she married actor Roy Glenn.Gordon, Phil (May 25, 1961). "New York Scene". The California Eagle. p. 10. Retrieved December 5, 2023.Robinson, Major (June 29, 1961). "New York Beat". Jet. p. 64. Retrieved December 5, 2023. From 1983 until her own death, she was married to Morton Goldsen, acquiring three stepchildren from his previous marriage in the process.

On June 17, 1997, at age 73, Foster died of a cerebral hemorrhage at Fair Oaks Hospital in Fairfax, Virginia. In lieu of flowers being sent, Foster left instructions that donations be made in her name to Hale House in New York City, as well as Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS."North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979 ", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJ81-WYNT : Wed Oct 18 05:10:58 UTC 2023), Entry for Terrell Robert Foster and Robert S Foster, 20 Jun 1959. On September 15 a memorial service was conducted in Harlem at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Foster's remains are interred at the Pine Lawn Cemetery in Farmingdale, Long Island, New York.

Selected credits Theatre Year Production Role Theatre(s) Notes 1996 The Juror Housewife, Juror 1995 Having Our Say Miss Sadie Delany (standby) Booth Theatre The Young Man from Atlanta Clara Signature Theatre 1992 Malcolm X Woman Outside Audubon Ballroom 1990 Ground People Viola America Place Theatre 1986 House of Shadows Cassie America Place Theatre 1982 Do Lord Remember Me Unknown American Place Theatre 1980 Zooman and the Sign Ash Boswell Theatre Four 1978 Nevis Mountain Dew Everelda Philibert Griffin St. Mark's Playhouse1979 Drama Desk Award nomination, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play 1975 The First Breeze of Summer Gremmer Palace Theatre 1972 The River Niger Grandma Wilhelmina Brown St. Mark's PlayhouseBrooks Atkinson TheatreOriginally an Off-Broadway production that was transferred to Broadway. 1971 Rosalee Pritchett Rosalee 'Rose' Pritchett St. Mark's Playhouse 1970 The Good Woman of Setzuan Mrs. Mi Tzu Vivian Beaumont Theater 1968 Kongi's Harvest Ogbo AweriSegi St. Mark's Playhouse 1965 Day of AbsenceSupervisorAideSt. Mark's PlayhouseProgram of two one-act plays by Douglas Turner Ward.Happy Ending Vi St. Mark's PlayhouseProgram of two one-act plays by Douglas Turner Ward. 1963 The Last Minstrel Mrs. Ash Pocket Theatre 1959 A Raisin in the Sun Ruth Younger (understudy)Beneatha Younger (understudy) Ethel Barrymore TheatreBelasco Theatre 1956 Take a Giant Step Violet Jan Hus Playhouse 1955 The Wisteria Trees Dolly May City Center Theater

References

External links

Biography at filmreference.com