Lynda Gravátt, a longtime New York theater actress, has died. She was 77 years old.
Her death was confirmed by the National Black Theater in an Instagram post shared by the organization on Saturday. Her son David Gravátt also spoke The Hollywood Reporter that she died last Friday at a hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Gravátt, who was born in Harlem in 1946, had a lifelong career in the theater and made her Broadway debut at just 4 years old in The king and me, as reported by several media. She also made several appearances on local New York television performing as a child, and made her Carnegie Hall debut at age 9, according to Playroom and obituaries of the National Black Theatre.
She graduated from Howard University in Washington, DC in 1971 and has acted in a number of off-Broadway productions over the years, including plays Native, Crowns, Intimate clothing, Miss Witherspoon, Little foxes, Skeleton Crew and A house that won’t standper Playroom. She appeared on Broadway as an intern in 2001 King Hedley II and starred in 45 seconds from Broadway that same year. Her Broadway credits also include starring in the original cast of the film Doubt and the replacement role in 2008 Cat on a hot tin roofper Playroom.
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Lynda Gravatt.
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Gravátt also acted for the screen. She is credited with approximately 29 roles between 1986 and 2023 on IMDb, beginning with a role in the 1986 film. Good for a start. In addition to starring in the Showtime drama 1999-2000 The life of hoopsshe mostly appeared in guest spots on television, with performances in Sex and the city, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit and the last in two episodes East New York. She also made a notable appearance in the 2017 Denzel Washington film Roman J. Israel, esq.
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Kenny Leon, the Tony Award-winning director, mourned Gravátt in a post he shared on Instagram. “The greatness that will always be….❤️Rest in Peace Lynda Gravatt – The Most Precious Actress 🙏🏿,” he captioned the photo of Gravátt he shared.
It appears that Leon’s announcement was how Viola Davis learned of Gravátt’s death. The Oscar winner commented: “Nooooo!!! Oh no!!! I loved you in every way. It was great working with you, laughing with you, sharing your infinite wisdom. Rest well my friend. I love you❤️❤️”
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Lynda Gravatt.
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Davis, 58, also shared her Instagram post mourning Gravátta. The Oscar winner posted multiple photos of herself and the older actress on the social media platform. “Greatness. That’s what you will be…big heart, great actress, great friend,” Davis wrote in the description. “I will love you forever. Rest well Lynda Gravatt ❤️❤️❤️”
Gravátt left behind sons David and Oge, grandchildren Josephine, Lucas, Ishmala, Ishana and Isabella, and her sister, documentary filmmaker June Cross, as THR reported.
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