The Parent ‘Hood’ actress dies at 64 – The Hollywood Reporter

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Susan Douglas, the actress best known for her work on the sitcom The Parent’ Hood from Warner Bros. has passed away. She was 64 years old.

In a statement sent to The Hollywood Reporter, a Douglas representative said: “The industry has lost a truly talented artist with the death of Susan Douglas. She touched everyone who knew her and was beautiful in every sense of the word. The family appreciates your support and asks for her privacy during this difficult time.”

Details of her death were not provided.

Douglas played mother Jerry Peterson in The Parent’ Hood, which also starred Robert Townsend and ran for five seasons (1995-99).

Townsend Douglas recalled on his Twitter account: “My heart is full, because yesterday I lost my amazing 5 year TV dance partner Susan Douglas. We “worked” on taking care of the parents. I only remember so many laughs and so many tears… We will miss her light Royal shining.”

Her other TV credits have included appearances on Bones, The Good Wife, Law & Order: SVU, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, NYPD Blue, Touching an Angel, I’ll Fly Away, and The Parkers. She recently starred as Grace Cuffee in Ava DuVernay’s limited Netflix series, When They See Us.

DuVernay took to Twitter to honor the actress, which she described as a “quiet and elegant force.” “Nice lady. Lady gem. A confident, caring actor who breathed life into words and made them sparkle. I am grateful that our paths in this life have crossed. May you travel in peace and love.”

On the film side, Douglas starred in How Stella Got Her Groove Back, School of Rock, The Inkwell, Jason Lyric, the 1989 dance-drama Tap (she won an NAACP Image Award for her role), the 2003 ABC remake of Sounder and Changing the Game ( 2011). She also portrayed Sissy Houston in the 2015 Lifetime film Whitney.

Jada Pinkett Smith, Douglas star in Inkwell, also paid tribute to her, writing on Twitter, “Woke up this morning to the news of Susan Douglas’ death. Worked with Susan on Inkwell. She was an elegant and warm gentle soul. My sincere condolences to her family and loved ones. May she rest in love.”

On stage, Douglas has starred in productions such as The Threepenny Opera opposite the Sting, Tap Dance Kid, and It’s a Grand Night for Singing. Other theatrical credits to Arthur Laurent included Hallelujah, Baby! Douglas was the first African American to play Dr. Bearing in the Pulitzer Prize-winning play Wet and Crown, which won an Image Award for performance by the troupe. She has also starred in productions of Henry V, Julius by Design, and Regina Taylor’s The Drowning Crow.

Douglas has also worked behind the camera, producing The Last Weekend – which won Best Short Film at the Hollywood Black Film Festival – and co-producing Theresa Rebeck’s Love on the Rocks.

Born in Chicago, Douglas received his bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University and his master’s degree in music from Manhattan College of Music.

She also sang regularly as a singer and composer, performing music with her band which was shared on her website. Musicians Douglas traveled with John Vadis, Nate Adderley, Don Braden, TS Monk, Helen Song, Stanley Turrentine, Jane Harris and Kenny Burrell.

Douglas was an advocate for the arts, and served as a life member of the Girl Scouts of America, the National Council of Negro Women, Sigma Alpha Lambda and Jack and Generation of America. She was also an honorary member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and served on its national board of directors.

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