On Tuesday, July 6, actress Suzanne Douglas, most recognized for work on the long-running Warner Bros. sitcom The Parent ‘Hood, died at age 64.
In a statement sent to The Hollywood Reporter, Douglas’ agent said: “The industry has lost a truly talented artist with the passing of Suzzanne Douglas. She touched everyone who knew her and was lovely in every sense of the word. The family appreciates your support and asks for their privacy during this difficult time.”
Details of her death are currently unknown.
Douglas played matriarch Jerri Peterson on The Parent ‘Hood, which also starred Robert Townsend and ran for five seasons from 1995 until 1999.
Townsend shared a memory of Douglas on his Twitter account along with photos captioned, “My heart is full because yesterday I lost, my amazing dancing partner on TV for 5 years Suzanne Douglas. We did “Work” on THE PARENT’HOOD. I just remember a lot of laughter and a lot of tears… her regal bright light will be missed.”
My heart is full ,because yesterday I lost, my amazing dancing partner on TV for 5 years Suzanne Douglas. We did “Work”on THE PARENT’HOOD.I just remember a lot of laughter and a lot of tears… her regal bright light will be missed…. pic.twitter.com/RHT0rrd4zb
— Robert Townsend (@Robert_Townsend) July 7, 2021
On the film side, Douglas starred in How Stella Got Her Groove Back, School of Rock, The Inkwell, Jason’s Lyric, the 1989 dance drama Tap, ABC’s 2003 remake of Sounder, and Changing the Game.
Douglas also worked behind the camera, producing The Last Weekend, which won best short film at the Hollywood Black Film Festival and co-produced Theresa Rebeck’s Love on the Rocks.
She recently starred as Grace Cuffee on Ava DuVernay’s Netflix series, When They See Us.
DuVernay paid tribute to Douglas on Twitter, whom she described as a “quiet, elegant force.”
“A gentlewoman. A gem of a lady. A confident, caring actor who breathed life into the words and made them shimmer. I’m grateful that our paths in this life crossed. May she journey on in peace and love,” she tweeted.
Suzzanne Douglas was a quiet, elegant force as we made WHEN THEY SEE US. A gentlewoman. A gem of a lady. A confident, caring actor who breathed life into the words and made them shimmer. I’m grateful that our paths in this life crossed. May she journey on in peace and love. pic.twitter.com/1ZhaucGEiK
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) July 7, 2021
I woke up this morning to the news that Suzzanne Douglas has passed away. I worked with Suzzanne in the film Inkwell. She was an elegant, gentle warm spirit. My deepest condolences to her family and loved ones. May she rest in love. pic.twitter.com/fBUf3coIVb
— Jada Pinkett Smith (@jadapsmith) July 7, 2021
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Jada Pinkett Smith, Douglas’ Inkwell co-star, also paid tribute on Twitter, writing, “I woke up this morning to the news that Suzzanne Douglas has passed away. I worked with Suzzanne in the film Inkwell. She was an elegant, gentle warm spirit. My deepest condolences to her family and loved ones. May she rest in love.”
