Beverly Todd | |
|---|---|
 Beverly Todd at the 2008 MovieGuide Faith and Values Awards Gala | |
| Born | July 11, 1946 Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, producer, screenwriter |
| Years active | 1968–present |
| Spouse | Kris Keiser (divorced) |
| Children | Malik Smith (deceased; murdered) |
Beverly Todd (born July 11, 1946)[1] is an American actress, producer and writer. She is known for her roles in films Brother John (1971), Moving (1988), Lean on Me (1989) and The Bucket List (2007).
On television, Todd appeared in the short lived Julie Farr, M.D. (1978−79) and The Redd Foxx Show (1986). She recurred on Six Feet Under (2002−03) and has appeared in several soap operas, including Love of Life (1968−70) and Days of Our Lives (2012). Todd has portrayed Beatrice Carter on 9-1-1 on a recurring basis since 2019. Todd has received four NAACP Image Award nominations throughout her career.
Todd was born in Cleveland, Ohio,[2] the daughter of Virena Todd.[3] Todd aspired to be an actress from childhood,[4] and performed in school plays.[5]
She began her acting career in the Off-Broadway production of Deep Are the Roots,[1] and later performed in the London productions of No Strings[6] (replacing Barbara McNair)[7] and Blues for Mr. Charlie.[8]
Todd played the main role in the Broadway comedy play Carry Me Back to Morningside Heights directed by Sidney Poitier.[8] She later appeared opposite Poitier in four films. In her film debut, The Lost Man (1969), she appeared as beautician Sally, who uses the assumed name of Dorothy Starr.[9][10] This was followed by roles in Poitier's They Call Me Mister Tibbs! (1970), Brother John (1971)[11] and A Piece of the Action (1977). In Brother John, Todd was a school teacher named Louisa.[12] A reviewer stated Todd had "natural charm" in the role.[13] She considered Poitier to be her acting mentor.[1]
On television, she was a regular cast member on the daytime soap opera, Love of Life, from 1968 to 1970. She portrayed Monica Nelson, a theater actress who becomes involved with Lincoln Kilpatrick's character.[14] In 1977, she appeared in the educational show The Write Channel on PBS. Todd received an NAACP Image Award nomination for her performance in the critically acclaimed PBS production of Six Characters in Search of an Author (1976).[8][5] She received her second NAACP Image Award nomination for her role as an adult Fanta in the ABC miniseries, Roots.[1][8] In the late 1970s, Todd appeared regularly as Kelly Williams in Julie Farr, M.D..[15] Todd appeared in the Barnaby Jones episode titled, "The Bounty Hunter" (12/16/1976).
She appeared as Dana in The Ghost of Flight 401 (1978)[16] and played the role of Lahoma, the wife of Satchel Paige,[1] in the 1981 television film Don't Look Back: The Story of Leroy 'Satchel' Paige.[17] In 1986, Todd was cast as the ex-wife of Redd Foxx's character on The Redd Foxx Show; the series had performed poorly in viewership and was overhauled with the addition of Todd and comedian Sinbad to the cast.[18] The measure failed to improve ratings, and the show was canceled after one season.[19]
Todd played the wife of Richard Pryor's character in Moving (1988),[20] which garnered her another NAACP Image Award nomination.[21] She portrayed high school vice principal Joan Levias in Lean on Me (1989) with Morgan Freeman.[22] A film critic believed Todd was "wonderful" in Lean on Me.[23] She received her fourth NAACP Image Award nomination for her performance in the film.[24] Around this time, Todd also acted in the Whoopi Goldberg film Clara's Heart.[25] Todd made appearances on various television series during the 1980s, including Lou Grant,[25] St. Elsewhere, Cagney & Lacey,[26] and Magnum, P.I..[27]
She did not appear regularly on the screen during the 1990s, only appearing intermittently in A Different World[28] and other series in guest spots. She returned to acting in 2002, with a recurring role in the HBO series, Six Feet Under as Mrs. Charles.[1] In 2004, she appeared as Don Cheadle's character's drug addict mother in the critically acclaimed film, Crash.[29][30] She reunited with Morgan Freeman in the 2007 comedy-drama film, The Bucket List.[30] In the film, Todd portrayed his wife Virginia.[26] Freeman recommended Todd to the film's director, Rob Reiner.[26]
Todd also had supporting roles in the independent films The Lena Baker Story (2008) and I Will Follow (2011), playing Amanda, the deceased aunt of Salli Richardson's character.[31] Roger Ebert was favorable of Todd's performance in this film.[32] Todd also guest starred on House, The Closer and Grey's Anatomy, and, in 2012, had the recurring role in the NBC daytime soap opera, Days of Our Lives as Celeste Perrault, the mother of Lexie Carver (Renée Jones).[33] As of 2019, Todd had a recurring role as Beatrice on 9-1-1.[34]
She was married to film producer-director Kris Keiser.[35] Their son, Malik Smith, died on March 20, 1989, at age 18 after being severely beaten at a teen youth center (no alcohol served or allowed) while on spring break in Utah.[36][37] Smith's killer was found guilty of negligent homicide and received a one-year prison sentence,[38] only serving eight months.[36] Todd was not satisfied with the jury's decision, and sought to have homicide laws in Utah be stricter.[36]
Todd is a co-founder of the Sunshine Circle preschool,[1] which follows a Montessori curriculum.[36]
