An American actress, Esther Rolle is best remembered for her portrayal of Florida Evans in the CBS sitcom, Maude. Later in the ‘70s, she also reprised the role in the spin-off Good Times, which earned her a Golden Globe Award nomination in 1976.
In addition to the sitcom, she appeared in many other television series and films throughout her career including Murder, She Wrote, The Fantasy Quinn, How to Make an American Quilt and Rosewood, to name a few. On stage, she also participated in a number of plays such as A Raisin in the Sun and Member o the Wedding.
How successful was she in the showbiz? How wealthy was she at the time of her death? According to various sites, Esther Rolle had a net worth of $3 million. Where did she earn most of this from? Let’s take a closer look at her career below.
Esther Rolle’s Net Worth 2018 – $3 Million
How did Esther Rolle Make Her Money & Wealth?
Born on November 8, 1920, in Florida, Esther Rolle grew up in Pompano Beach, where she went to Blanche Ele High School. Upon graduating, she moved to Atlanta, where she enrolled at Spelman College briefly before relocating to New York City. A few college transfers later, she studied at Yale University in Connecticut. From there, she worked several years in New York’s garment district.
In 1964, she made her acting debut in the independent film, Nothing But a Man. Though she appeared in a few other titles over the years, it wasn’t until the early ‘70s that she began to gain recognition as Florida Evans in the sitcom, Maude. Responsible for her rise to stardom, the series proved to be popular among viewers during its six-year run. By the time she left in 1974, she had already established herself as an actress.
Not long after the end of Maude, she began to star in its spin-off, Good Times. The first African American sitcom in the U.S., it premiered on CBS on August 1, 1979. In addition to Rolle, who reprised her role as Florida Evans, the cast list also included John Amos, Jimmie Walker, Bern Nadette Stands, and Janet Dubois, among a few others. Lauded for her portrayal, she eventually earned a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actress in 1976. Unfortunately, her salary from the two shows has not been disclosed to the public. Considering its success and popularity, however, she most likely earned a significant amount over the years.Â
Continuing to act in the ‘80s, she played various roles in titles such as Fantasy Island, Murder, She Wrote, The Mighty Quinn and Driving Miss Daisy. Though she later slowed down, she went on to appear in several shows in the ‘90s including Singers & Sons, To Dance with the White Dog, House of Cards and How to Make an American Quilt. In 1997, she also played a supporting role in the film Rosewood, which garnered her an Image Award nomination.
In addition to her television and film career, Rolle also took part in a number of stage productions such as The Dream of Monkey Mountain, Don’t Play Us Cheap, Nevis Mountain Dew and Dame Lorraine.Â
In 1998, the passed away due to diabetes complications, just a few days shy of her 78th birthday.Â
Esther Rolle’s Personal Life and FAQ:
Was Esther Rolle Married?
She was married to Oscar Robinson for two decades from 1955 to 1975.
Did Esther Rolle Have Any Children?
No, Esther Rolle and her husband did not have any children.
Does Esther Rolle Go to College?
Yes, she did—in fact, more than one. After high school, she studied at Spelman College, Hunter College, The New School, and Yale University. From there, she worked in the garment district for several years, before making her acting debut in the ’60s.
What is Esther Rolle Famous For?
Esther Rolle rose to fame as Florida Evans on the CBS sitcom, Maude which ran in the early ‘70s. From there, her popularity continued to increase as she reprised the role in the spin-off series, Good Times.
Where did Esther Rolle Live now? Pictures of Esther Rolle’s HouseÂ
Up until her death, she had resided in Culver City, California. We do not have any additional details at this time.
What Kind of Car Did Esther Rolle Drive?
Details on Esther Rolle’s vehicle is not available at this time.
Esther Rolle’s Death
Elle Rosse passed away on November 17, 1988, due to complications from diabetes; she was 77 years old. Following her death, her body was returned to her hometown of Pompano, Florida, where she was later buried in Westview Community Cemetery.
