Odessa Cleveland (born 3 March 1944) is a retired American film and television actress.
Early years Born in Louisiana, Cleveland graduated from Peabody High School. She graduated from Grambling State University with a BS degree in physical education and English and a master's degree in business management and education.
Career A life member of The Actors Studio, Cleveland is best known for her role as Lieutenant Ginger Bayliss, a recurring character on the television series M*A*S*H, on which she appeared for 26 episodes from 1972 to 1975.
Cleveland also had a guest role in an episode of the CBS-TV series M*A*S*H spin-off Trapper John, M.D. in 1986. Beginning as a receptionist and writer at the Watts Writer's Workshop/Theater in Los Angeles, and under the tutelage of Budd Schulberg, Odessa began appearing in such productions as Black Girl in Search of God at Jim Wood's Studio Watts Theater in Los Angeles.
In 1974, she portrayed Jim's slave wife in the 1974 musical release of Huckleberry Finn.
Cleveland taught in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Filmography Year Film Role Notes 1974 Huckleberry Finn Jim's Wife
Television works Year Series Role Notes 1971 The Bold Ones: The New Doctors Barbara 1 episode: "Glass Cage" 1972–75 M*A*S*H Lt. Ginger Bayliss Total of 27 episodes (5 uncredited) 1975 Sanford and Son Audrey 1 episode: "The Over-the-Hill Gag" 1977 Something for Joey Judy TV movie 1982 The Greatest American Hero Nurse 1 episode: " The Hand-Painted Thai" 1983 Simon & Simon Nurse 1 episode: "Room 3502" 1986 Trapper John, M.D. Second Nurse 1 episode: "The Curmudgeon"
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