Leslie Uggams is a singer and actress from the United States. She began her career in the entertainment business at the age of six and climbed to become the first African American woman to feature as a series regular on a variety programme with her performance on Mitch Miller’s “Sing Along With Mitch.” Uggams is best known for playing Kizzy Reynolds in the hit television series “Roots.” For her role on the programme, the actress received Emmy and Golden Globe nods.
Uggams made her theatrical debut in the highly acclaimed “Hallelujah, Baby!” in which she earned a Theatre World Award and a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. This musical catapulted Uggams to popularity, and she started to act in productions on a regular basis. In 2001, she appeared in August Wilson’s “King Hedley II,” for which she received another Tony Award nomination, this time for Best Actress in a Play.
Uggams met her husband, Grahame Pratt, while attending the Professional Children’s School of New York. They fell passionately in love but were torn apart when Pratt was called back to Australia. Pratt subsequently became Uggams’ manager once the pair was reconciled. Despite the fact that interracial marriage was banned in various regions of the United States until 1967, the couple married in 1965. Danielle, their daughter, was born in 1970, and Justice, their son, in 1976.
Uggams and Pratt have been married for over 60 years, yet they have had to deal with obstacles and hate letters just because they are in love. Continue reading to find out more about Uggams and her connection with Pratt.
Leslie Uggams was born in Harlem, New York, on May 25, 1943. Uggams’ parents did all they could to provide a caring and supportive environment for their daughter while she was growing up.
Uggams was a featured musician at the famed Apollo Theater from an early age, where she played with great singers like Ella Fitzgerald and Dinah Washington. She watched every single one of them. That was the greatest school since one was able to watch everything that happened on and off the stage, and Uggams contributed.
When she started appearing on “Sing Along With Mitch,” Uggams quickly became a household name. That was the first time an African American appeared on national television every week, she noted. The South first refused to accept the show as she was participating in it. So Mitch continued hearing from the advertisers and NBC, ‘Oh, just put her on a couple times.’ ‘No, she’s part of the family, she’ll be on,’ Mitch said.”
When asked whether she was aware of the importance of becoming the first black woman to appear as a regular on a variety show, Uggams said that she was indeed and that was a duty she eagerly accepted. One couldn’t possibly go wrong. There couldn’t possibly be a controversy. But there was a lot of pressure since she knew she was carrying her race on her shoulders, which she was more than happy to do.
Grahame Pratt, who subsequently married the legendary Uggams, was born in Australia on November 13, 1936. Although not as well known as his wife as an actress and TV personality, Pratt did appear in a few films and TV episodes throughout the 1960s and 1970s. They were largely cameos as extras for one episode or minor side characters. One of these modest projects is the disaster film “Skyjacked” from 1972.
In Sydney, Australia, the pair met almost by chance. Uggams later said that her first performance was at the Chequers Club, which was a popular spot in Sydney in the 1960s. Pratt was at the club with some pals and was already a little tipsy when he had the guts to invite Uggams to join them. The couple hit it off and continued to see each other over the next several days, until Uggams had to return to her life in the United States. It would be another 12 months before the pair saw each other in person again.
Uggams and Pratt’s love story is one for the ages. He’s brilliant, humorous, and brave, Uggams said in 2018. Despite their disagreements, they took a risk and never looked back. He’d never dated a black lady before, stated Uggams. The pair was engaged for five months before marrying for almost 60 years.
But things were not always simple. Pratt sent his parents a letter the first time he introduced them to Uggams, saying that now he didn’t want to hear any objections and that he was going to bring a black lady home.
But, Pratt’s mother seemed unconcerned with Uggams’ ethnicity. “‘Is she Presbyterian?” she asked. Uggams remembered. “How ironic that I am a Presbyterian!”
Even though it was difficult at times, the pair felt that all of the struggle was worthwhile. That wasn’t as difficult as she thought, Uggams said. The reason, she believes, is that Grahame was not an American white guy. They did, however, get mail. Uggams talked about the notes she got and said they were rude and full of swear words.
Despite their difficulties, Uggams and Pratt have raised a lovely family with two children and one granddaughter. Danielle Chambers, born Pratt, and Justice Pratt, their kids, have both joined the performing arts.
Their daughter Danielle has chosen to work in theater and music. She has been in a number of musicals and regional theater shows. She was a part of the “Titanic” musical’s first national tour. Justice, her brother, has also joined the world of theater, acting at the Abbott Kaplan Theatre in New York. Unlike his sister, he has also taken on small parts in TV shows such as “Crossing Jordan.”
According to Uggams, the key to a long marriage is: They laugh all the time, but it’s not all sunny. They have a good time together.
Uggams is still working at the age of 79. She was most recently seen in the superhero film “Deadpool,” where she played the main character’s roommate, Blind Al. Uggams succeeded in the comedy part, showcasing her variety of skills.
