Estelle Evans

Estelle Evans (born Estelle Rolle on October 1, 1906, in Nassau, Bahamas) was a pioneering Bahamanian‑American actress whose career spanned more than six decades, making an indelible mark on both stage and screen. As the eldest of eighteen children of Jonathan and Elizabeth Iris Rolle, she grew up in a large, close‑knit family that nurtured her early love for performance, eventually prompting her migration to the United States where she began working in vaudeville and Broadway productions in the late 1910s. Her screen debut came in the socially conscious documentary‑drama The Quiet One (1948), where she delivered a nuanced portrayal that caught the attention of Hollywood casting directors. Over the next three decades she became renowned for embodying strong, maternal figures, most notably as the dignified housekeeper Calpurnia in the classic adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird (1962). In 1969 she earned critical acclaim and the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture for her role in The Learning Tree, a groundbreaking film directed by Gordon Parks that highlighted African‑American experiences. Estelle Evans also appeared in numerous television series, including guest spots on The Andy Griffith Show and All in the Family, showcasing her versatility across genres. Her dedication to her craft was matched by a commitment to her family; she married Walter Evans, with whom she raised three daughters, while remaining a supportive sister to fellow actresses Rosanna Carter and Esther Rolle. Evans passed away on July 20, 1985, in New York City, leaving behind a legacy of powerful performances that continue to inspire generations of actors and audiences alike. She is interred at Westview Community Cemetery in Pompano Beach, Florida, where fans still pay tribute to her contributions to American cinema.