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Hope Clarke
Washington, D.C
Hope Clarke is an American actress, dancer, vocalist, choreographer, and director. Clarke performed as principal dancer with the Katherine Dunham Company and the Alvin Ailey Ameri…
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Hope Clarke is an American actress, dancer, vocalist, choreographer, and director. Clarke performed as principal dancer with the Katherine Dunham Company and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, 1960s; actress on stage, film, and television, 1970s–1980s; choreographer and director, 1980s--. Clarke served on the Tony Awards Nominating Committee for the 2011–12 Broadway season. Clarke made history in 1995 when she became the first African American, as well as the first African-American woman, to direct and choreograph a major staging of the opera-musical Porgy and Bess. Clarke's production of the George Gershwin classic was staged in celebration of the work's 60h anniversary, and it toured not only major American cities but Japan and Europe as well. Clarke drew critical acclaim for her commitment to staging the show as a monument to African-American community and pride, giving a more hopeful, positive aura to a story that has been criticized for its stereotypes. As for the director herself, the success of Porgy and Bess is just the latest accolade in a long career devoted to dance and drama.
Filmography
Movies and shows, newest first
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2023
Rustin
Movie Lucille Randolph
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2021
Ailey
Movie Herself
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2004
Men Without Jobs
Movie Ms. Jackson
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2000
Seventeen Again
Movie Grandma Cat Donovan
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1996
Basquiat
Movie Matilde
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1990
Law & Order
TV show Judge Emma Reynolds
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1988
A Father's Homecoming
Movie Doctor
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1985
Into the Night
Movie Airport Cop
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1984
Beat Street
Movie Dancing instructor
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1982
The New Odd Couple
TV show Beth St. Clair
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1982
Lois Gibbs and the Love Canal
Movie Chris
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1981
Maggie
TV show Receptionist
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1981
Hill Street Blues
TV show
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1980
Scout's Honor
Movie Mrs. Prewett
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1979
Hart to Hart
TV show Teacher
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1979
The Ropers
TV show
More credits
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1979
Jennifer: A Woman’s Story
Movie Annie
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1978
The White Shadow
TV show Aunt Edna Hayward
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1977
A Piece of the Action
Movie Sarah Thomas
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1977
Three's Company
TV show Second Nurse
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1977
The Baron
Movie Cokeman's Girl
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1976
What's Happening!!
TV show Elizabeth Duncan
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1975
The Jeffersons
TV show
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1974
Good Times
TV show
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1973
Book of Numbers
Movie Pigmeat Goins
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1971
Going Home
Movie Mother at Prison
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1969
Change of Mind
Movie Nancy
