Actor Carol Sutton, who appeared in well more than 100 movies, plays and television shows, died Thursday in New Orleans of complications from the coronavirus. She was 76 years old.
“Carol Sutton was practically the Queen of New Orleans theater, having graced the stages across the city for decades,” shared the Mayor of New Orleans, LaToya Cantrell. “The world may recognize her from her performances in movies and on TV — whether it’s ‘Treme’ or ‘Claws,’ or ‘Runaway Jury’ or ‘Queen Sugar.'”
“But we will always remember her commanding stage presence, her richly portrayed characters, and the warm heart she shared with her fellow cast and crew in productions such as ‘4000 Miles’ and ‘A Raisin in the Sun.’ May she rest in God’s perfect peace.”
In 1974, Sutton made her television debut in “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman,” then went on to feature films, starring theatrical roles and more television work.
Though she refused to relocate from her hometown, she worked steadily, winning roles in movies, including “The Big Easy,” “The Pelican Brief,” Monster’s Ball,” “Ray,” “Steel Magnolias,” “The Help,” and “Poms.” Sutton was diagnosed with the virus and hospitalized in November.
But the theater is where Sutton really honed her acting abilities.
Beginning in 1968, she joined one of the rare African-American theatrical troupes in the Deep South, The Dashiki Project Theatre.
The troupe was founded by students at Dillard University and other historically black colleges and universities in Louisiana and was based in New Orleans.
They produced plays that