Vance, Danitra (1954–1994)

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Vance, Danitra (1954–1994)

African-American comedic actress and performance artist. Born July 13, 1954, in Chicago, IL; died Aug 21, 1994, in Markham, IL.

Appeared off-Broadway in Danitra Vance and the Mel-O-White Boys, Colored Museum and Marisol, and in the performance piece The Radical Girl's Guide to Radical Mastectomy; films include Sticky Fingers, The War of the Roses, Hangin' with the Homeboys, Little Man Tate and Jumpin' at the Boneyard; was the 1st female AfricanAmerican cast member on tv's "Saturday Night Live" but became so frustrated for being typecast as a maid or hooker that she quit after 1 season (1985–86). Won Obie Award for Spunk (1991).

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