florida'S ACTORS AND ACTRESSES

 Sidney Poitier was born on February 20, 1927, in Miami, Florida. He was the youngest of seven children born to Evelyn (née Outten) and Reginald James Poitier, Afro-Bahamian farmers who owned a farm on Cat Island. The family would travel to Miami to sell tomatoes and other produce to wholesalers. His father also worked as a cab driver in Nassau. 

 Esther Elizabeth Rolle was an award-winning American actress and dancer who played strong Black women in film and television. Born in Florida to Bahamian parents, she made her theater debut in 1962 and went on to star in the hit CBS sitcoms Maude and Good Times. She was nominated for a Golden Globe for her role as Florida Evans in Good Times and won a Primetime Emmy for her performance in Summer of My German Soldier (1979).  

Roxie Albertha Roker was an American actress. She was best known for her portrayal of Helen Willis on the CBS sitcom The Jeffersons. In 1973, she performed as Mattie Williams in the Broadway play The River Niger, and was nominated for Best Featured Actress in a Play at the 28th Tony Awards. Born: August 28, 1929, Miami, FL

 Maya Rudolph is an American actress, comedian, and singer. In 2000, she joined the cast of Saturday Night Live and also appeared in films like Idiocracy, A Prairie Home Companion, and 50 First Dates. She's also associated with the movies The Emoji Movie (2017) and The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature. In 2018, she starred in the English comedy Life of the Party with Melissa McCarthy and Debby Ryan.   

 Comedian and actress Maya Rudolph is from Gainsville, Florida. She was born on July 27, 1972. Daughter of RnB Singer Minnie Riperton. 

  Angela Evelyn Bassett (born August 16, 1958) is an American actress. Known for her work in film and television since the 1980s, she has received various accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award and two Golden Globe Awards, as well as nominations for two Academy Awards. In 2023, Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world, and she received an Academy Honorary Award.  At the age of four, Bassett moved with mother and  her sister to St. Petersburg, Florida. 

 Wesley Trent Snipes is an American actor, producer, and martial artist who's best known for his role as Blade in the Blade trilogy. An agent discovered him at age 23 during a competition, and he made his film debut in 1986's Wildcats. Snipes has appeared in a variety of genres, including thrillers, comedies, and dramas like The Waterdance and Disappearing Acts.   Born: July 31, 1962 (age 62 years), Orlando, FL 

Shenika Williams, known professionally as Nika King, is an American actress and comedian. She is best known for her role as Leslie Bennett on the HBO television series Euphoria. After starting her acting career in 2002, King moved to Los Angeles and became a stand-up comedian. Born: 1978 (age 46 years), Miami, FL

Laila Amaria Ali is an American television personality and retired professional boxer who competed from 1999 to 2007. During her career, from which she retired undefeated, she held the WBC, WIBA, IWBF and IBA female super middleweight titles, and the IWBF light heavyweight title. Born: 1977 (age 47 years), Miami Beach, FL 

 Theodore "Teddy" Wilson graduated from Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida where he was drum major for the "Marching 100"-Dillard High's band Prior to his attending Florida A & M University. 

Jo Marie Payton (born August 3, 1950)is an American actress. She portrayed Harriette Baines Winslow on the ABC/CBS sitcom Family Matters (1989–1998),  Sometime during her early teens, her family relocated to Opa-locka, Florida. Payton attended high school at North Dade Jr./ Sr. High School and later graduated from Miami Carol City Senior High School in 1968.

Butterfly McQueen was an American actress. Originally a dancer, McQueen first appeared in films as Prissy in Gone with the Wind. She also appeared in the films Cabin in the Sky, Mildred Pierce, and Duel in the Sun. Wikipedia

Born: January 7, 1911, Tampa, FL