Black Actresses Who Sadly Died of Cancer

The world of entertainment has lost many brilliant talents to the devastating effects of cancer. These women broke barriers and defined generations with their performances on stage and screen. Their contributions to film and television paved the way for future artists while leaving behind an enduring legacy. This list honors the lives and careers of fifteen Black actresses who tragically passed away from this disease.

Hattie McDaniel

Hattie McDaniel made history as the first African American to win an Academy Award for her role in ‘Gone with the Wind’. She passed away from breast cancer at the age of 57 in 1952. McDaniel faced significant racial barriers during her career but paved the way for future generations of Black artists. Her final wish to be buried in Hollywood Forever Cemetery was denied due to segregation policies at the time. She remains a monumental figure in the history of cinema.

Diahann Carroll

Diahann Carroll was a trailblazing actress known for her roles in ‘Julia’ and ‘Dynasty’. She died from complications arising from breast cancer in 2019 at the age of 84. Carroll broke barriers as the first Black woman to star in a non-stereotypical role in her own television series. Her career spanned decades and included an Academy Award nomination for the film ‘Claudine’. She fought a long and private battle with the disease before her passing.

Eartha Kitt

Eartha Kitt was a legendary entertainer known for her distinctive voice and her role as Catwoman in the ‘Batman’ television series. The star passed away from colon cancer on Christmas Day in 2008. She enjoyed a versatile career that included singing and acting on stage and screen. Kitt remained active in the entertainment industry until shortly before her death. Her legacy continues to influence performers across multiple genres today.

Roxie Roker

Roxie Roker is best remembered for her portrayal of Helen Willis on the long-running sitcom ‘The Jeffersons’. She died of breast cancer in 1995 at the age of 66. Roker made television history as part of the first interracial couple shown on prime-time television. She was also a distinguished stage actress with the Negro Ensemble Company. Her son Lenny Kravitz continues her artistic legacy in the music industry.

Madge Sinclair

Madge Sinclair was a Jamaican actress known for her commanding presence in ‘Coming to America’ and ‘The Lion King’. She battled leukemia for 13 years before succumbing to the disease in 1995. Sinclair won a Primetime Emmy Award for her role in the miniseries ‘Gabriel’s Fire’. Her voice work as Queen Sarabi introduced her talent to a new generation of fans. She was also a successful businesswoman and clothing designer during her life.

Michelle Thomas

Michelle Thomas captured hearts as Myra Monkhouse on the popular sitcom ‘Family Matters’. She tragically died of a rare form of stomach cancer in 1998 at the young age of 30. Thomas had also starred as Theo Huxtable’s girlfriend on ‘The Cosby Show’ earlier in her career. Her diagnosis came shortly after she began a new role on the soap opera ‘The Young and the Restless’. Friends and family remember her for her vibrant energy and comedic talent.

Yvette Wilson

Yvette Wilson was a beloved comedic actress known for her role as Andell Wilkerson on ‘Moesha’ and its spinoff ‘The Parkers’. She passed away from cervical cancer in 2012 at the age of 48. Wilson also battled kidney disease and had requested funds for a transplant shortly before her death. Her stand-up comedy background helped her transition successfully into acting roles. Fans continue to celebrate her contributions to 1990s television sitcoms.

Suzzanne Douglas

Suzzanne Douglas was a respected actress known for her matriarchal role in ‘The Parent ‘Hood’. She died in 2021 from complications related to pancreatic cancer. Douglas had an extensive career that included roles in ‘Jason’s Lyric’ and ‘When They See Us’. She was also an accomplished jazz singer and committed educator. Her dignified performances earned her the admiration of audiences and peers alike.

Erica Ash

Erica Ash was a talented actress and comedian who starred in ‘Survivor’s Remorse’ and ‘Real Husbands of Hollywood’. She passed away in July 2024 after a long battle with breast cancer. Ash started her career in sketch comedy on ‘The Big Gay Sketch Show’ and ‘Mad TV’. Her ability to deliver both dramatic and comedic performances made her a versatile talent in the industry. Her family described her as an amazing woman with a zest for life.

Diana Sands

Diana Sands was a powerful stage and screen actress best known for her role in ‘A Raisin in the Sun’. She died of leiomyosarcoma in 1973 at the age of 39. Sands was originally cast in the film ‘Claudine’ but had to withdraw due to her illness. She was a founding member of the artistic era that brought serious Black drama to mainstream audiences. Her intense and realistic acting style left a lasting impact on American theater.

Ethel Waters

Ethel Waters was a pioneering singer and actress who became the second African American nominated for an Academy Award. She died from uterine cancer in 1977. Waters broke ground as the first Black woman to integrate Broadway’s theater district. Her performance in ‘Pinky’ remains one of her most acclaimed dramatic works. She later found spiritual solace touring with the Billy Graham Crusade.

Barbara McNair

Barbara McNair was a singer and actress who hosted her own television variety program titled ‘The Barbara McNair Show’. She passed away from throat cancer in 2007. McNair starred alongside Sidney Poitier in the film ‘They Call Me Mister Tibbs!’ during the 1970s. Her variety show was significant for its inclusive guest list and musical performances. She continued performing in nightclubs and cabarets until late in her life.

Theresa Merritt

Theresa Merritt was a celebrated actress known for her role in the sitcom ‘That’s My Mama’. She died of skin cancer in 1998. Merritt earned a Tony Award nomination for her performance in the original production of ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’. Her career spanned both stage and screen with notable appearances in ‘The Wiz’. She was often recognized for playing strong and nurturing mother figures.

Rosalind Cash

Rosalind Cash was a strong character actress known for refusing stereotypical roles throughout her career. She died of cancer in 1995 at the age of 56. Cash gained fame for her role in ‘The Omega Man’ where she shared an interracial kiss with Charlton Heston. She also appeared as the matriarch on the soap opera ‘General Hospital’ in her later years. Her dedication to portraying dignified Black women helped change Hollywood casting practices.

Please share your favorite memories of these incredible women in the comments.