Leslie Uggams is a renowned singer and actress in the United States, who has been entertaining audiences for over seven decades.
At just six years old, Uggams started her career in the entertainment industry and rose to become the first African American person to appear as a series regular on a variety show, with her appearance on “Sing Along With Mitch.” She is best known for her portrayal of Kizzy Reynolds in the award-winning television series “Roots.”
Uggams has been nominated for both the Emmy and Golden Globe awards due to her outstanding performance in the program.
Uggams began her professional acting career on stage, where she received numerous awards and accolades for her performance in the musical “Hallelujah, Baby!” She went on to make frequent appearances in productions across the country and was once again considered for a Tony Award for her role in August Wilson’s “King Hedley II.”
Uggams fell in love with her future husband, Grahame Pratt, while they were students at the Professional Children’s School of New York. Despite the opposition and hate mail they faced due to their interracial marriage, the couple tied the knot in 1965 and went on to have two children.
Uggams was born in Harlem, New York in 1943, where her parents provided her with a nurturing environment. She grew up watching some of the greatest singers of her time perform at the Apollo Theater and began her career there. Uggams became a household name after appearing on “Sing Along With Mitch,” where she was a regular performer. She was aware of the responsibility that came with being the first African American person to appear on national television on a weekly basis and embraced the challenge with open arms.
Grahame Pratt, born in Australia in 1936, married the famous Uggams and had a few small roles in films and television series in the 1960s and 1970s. The couple first met in Sydney, Australia, and quickly hit it off. Despite the different paths their careers took, Uggams and Pratt have been together for over 60 years, overcoming any obstacles that came their way.
