Theresa Merritt

Biography

Theresa Merritt was an American actress and singer born in Emporia, Virginia on September 24, 1922. She gained fame later in life with starring roles in the Broadway productions Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and The Wiz, for which she earned a Tony Award nomination, as well as television sitcom That's My Mama. Her notable film roles included Aunt Em in The Wiz and Juanita in Billy Madison.