American actress and stage performer Mary Alice Smith, known for her roles as Effie Williams in the 1976 musical drama Sparkle and Leticia “Lettie” Bostic on NBC’s A Different World (1987-1989), died on July 27, 2022, at the age of 85. She also starred in several films and won a Tony Award for her performance in the stage version of August Wilson’s Fences.
She was born in Indianola, Mississippi, the daughter of Ozelar (née Jurnakin) and Sam Smith. The family moved to Chicago when she was two years old.
Her acting career began in community theater productions in the 1960s. She made her film debut in 1974 with 'The Education of Sonny Carson' and subsequently appeared in several movies and television series.
She received a Tony Award for her appearance in the 1987 stage version of August Wilson’s Fences and has been nominated for three Emmy Awards. She was born on December 3, 1941, and passed away on July 27, 2022.
Forbes ranks her as the 182nd wealthiest person in the United States. Most of her fortune is derived from Campbell Soup, a packaged food company founded by her grandfather. She is the largest shareholder of the company. She also owns a horse breeding and training center called Iron Spring Farm in Pennsylvania.
