Leslie Uggams looks back on decades in show business | Fresh Air
From Fresh Air
Leslie Uggams reflects on her extensive career in the entertainment industry, highlighting her remarkable journey from a six-year-old performer to a vibrant 82-year-old actress still actively working in major projects like HBO's The Gilded Age and the Oscar-winning film American Fiction. Uggams shares anecdotes from her early days, interactions with music legends, and significant milestones, including her Tony Award win and becoming the first Black woman to host a TV variety show, emphasizing...
Key Takeaways
- Leslie Uggams: from childhood star to icon, proving talent truly ages like fine wine—better with time.
- Behind every blind character, there’s an actor who didn’t read the script—Uggams on her charming Deadpool surprise.
- Being a busybody in the Gilded Age: bridging past and present, Uggams exemplifies art imitating complex history.
- Winning a Tony and breaking barriers, Ugams reminds us that talent knows no age—and neither do stereotypes.
- When your grandmother’s history echoes through your roles, it’s not just acting; it’s a profound connection to legacy.
Mentioned in This Episode
- Leslie Ugams (person)
- Ethel Waters (person)
- Mitch Miller (person)
- Hallelujah Baby (book)
- Sing Along with Mitch (media)
- Frankie Lyman (person)
- Nat Cole (person)
- American Fiction (media)
- Deadpool (media)
- Roots (media)
- Apollo Theater (location)
- Talking to Yourself (book)
- Sugar Hill (location)
- Giuliard (location)
- Cotton Club (location)
- Lucius Lion (person)