Irma P. Hall
Encyclopedia
Irma P. Hall is an African American
actress who has appeared in numerous films and television shows since the 1970s. She is best known for playing matriarchal figures the films A Family Thing
, Soul Food
and The Ladykillers
.
called Book of Numbers at the age of 38. Hall had been a teacher of languages for almost 20 years in Dallas, Texas
when actor/director Raymond St. Jacques
saw her performing at a poetry reading
. He liked her so much he offered her a role in his film on the spot. Hall discovered a love for acting and soon founded a repertory
theatre in Dallas.
Hall's personality and age made her a natural to be cast as middle-aged, strong authority figures. She worked steadily in films and TV throughout the 1980s. But it was not until her role as the loving Aunt T. in 1996's A Family Thing
when critics and audiences began to take notice of her talents. She won the Chicago Film Critics Association Award and the Kansas City Film Critics Circle Award
for Best Supporting Actress. The success of that film helped launch Hall's career as a major supporting actor in the late-90's and early 2000s. Sizable roles in major films such as Nothing to Lose and Steel followed. Hall then landed the role as Big Mama Joseph
in the film Soul Food
. The film was a hit at the box-office, prompting a television spin-off
, Soul Food: The Series
, in which Hall reprised her role.
She landed another acclaimed role when she was cast in the 2004 remake
of The Ladykillers
. She won a special Jury Prize at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival
and an Image Award for her performance. Hall will also have a principal role in the upcoming Rel Dowdell film, "Changing the Game," to be shot in Philadelphia in Spring 2010.
, the daughter of Josephine Hall. She was raised on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois. Her father was a saxophone
player who performed jazz
music. Hall attended Briar Cliff College in Sioux City, Iowa
.
Shortly before the film release of The Ladykillers
, Hall was seriously injured in a car accident
in Chicago
. In the midst of a snowstorm, she lost control of her vehicle, crossed lanes into oncoming traffic
and hit another car head on. She underwent emergency
open-heart surgery for a puncture wound to her aorta
caused by a broken rib. In addition, Hall also suffered a shattered ankle
and a broken arm. Hall was cited for driving with a suspended license
and not staying in her lane. She made a full recovery and was able to continue her career.
Hall lives in Dallas, Texas
with her family; she is the mother of two and the grandmother of four (as of 2001).
Hall also had a recurring role on the 80's hit television show Dallas.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actress who has appeared in numerous films and television shows since the 1970s. She is best known for playing matriarchal figures the films A Family Thing
A Family Thing
A Family Thing is a 1996 film starring Robert Duvall, James Earl Jones and Irma P. Hall. It was written by Billy Bob Thornton and Tom Epperson and directed by Richard Pearce.-Plot:...
, Soul Food
Soul Food (film)
Soul Food is a 1997 American comedy-drama film, produced by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Tracey Edmonds, and Robert Teitel, and released by Fox 2000 Pictures. Featuring an ensemble cast, the film stars Vanessa L. Williams, Vivica A. Fox, Nia Long, Michael Beach, Mekhi Phifer, Jeffrey D. Sams, Irma...
and The Ladykillers
The Ladykillers (2004 film)
The Ladykillers is a 2004 dark comedy film directed, written and produced by the Coen brothers and stars Tom Hanks, with a supporting cast that includes J. K. Simmons, Marlon Wayans, Tzi Ma, Ryan Hurst and Irma P. Hall...
.
Career
Hall's first acting role was in an independent filmIndependent film
An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
called Book of Numbers at the age of 38. Hall had been a teacher of languages for almost 20 years in Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
when actor/director Raymond St. Jacques
Raymond St. Jacques
Raymond St. Jacques was an American actor.-Career:St. Jacques was born James Arthur Johnson in Hartford, Connecticut, the son of Vivienne Johnson, a medical technician...
saw her performing at a poetry reading
Poetry reading
A poetry reading is a performance of poetry, normally given on a small stage in a café or bookstore, although poetry readings given by notable poets frequently are booked into larger venues to accommodate crowds...
. He liked her so much he offered her a role in his film on the spot. Hall discovered a love for acting and soon founded a repertory
Repertory
Repertory or rep, also called stock in the United States, is a term used in Western theatre and opera.A repertory theatre can be a theatre in which a resident company presents works from a specified repertoire, usually in alternation or rotation...
theatre in Dallas.
Hall's personality and age made her a natural to be cast as middle-aged, strong authority figures. She worked steadily in films and TV throughout the 1980s. But it was not until her role as the loving Aunt T. in 1996's A Family Thing
A Family Thing
A Family Thing is a 1996 film starring Robert Duvall, James Earl Jones and Irma P. Hall. It was written by Billy Bob Thornton and Tom Epperson and directed by Richard Pearce.-Plot:...
when critics and audiences began to take notice of her talents. She won the Chicago Film Critics Association Award and the Kansas City Film Critics Circle Award
Kansas City Film Critics Circle Awards 1996
The 31st Kansas City Film Critics Circle Awards, honoring the finest achievements in 1996 filmmaking, were given in 1997.-Winners:*Best Actor:**Billy Bob Thornton – Sling Blade*Best Actress:**Frances McDormand – Fargo...
for Best Supporting Actress. The success of that film helped launch Hall's career as a major supporting actor in the late-90's and early 2000s. Sizable roles in major films such as Nothing to Lose and Steel followed. Hall then landed the role as Big Mama Joseph
Josephine Joseph (Soul Food)
Josephine Joseph is a fictional character from the 1997 film Soul Food, and the Showtime television series of the same name. Along with her grandson Ahmad -- who refers to her as "Big Mama" -- she serves as the moral and emotional center of the film. Additionally, she makes recurring appearances...
in the film Soul Food
Soul Food (film)
Soul Food is a 1997 American comedy-drama film, produced by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Tracey Edmonds, and Robert Teitel, and released by Fox 2000 Pictures. Featuring an ensemble cast, the film stars Vanessa L. Williams, Vivica A. Fox, Nia Long, Michael Beach, Mekhi Phifer, Jeffrey D. Sams, Irma...
. The film was a hit at the box-office, prompting a television spin-off
Spin-off (media)
In media, a spin-off is a radio program, television program, video game, or any narrative work, derived from one or more already existing works, that focuses, in particular, in more detail on one aspect of that original work...
, Soul Food: The Series
Soul Food: The Series
Soul Food: The Series is a television drama that aired Wednesday nights on Showtime from June 28, 2000 to May 26, 2004. Created by filmmaker George Tillman, Jr. and developed for television by Felicia D. Henderson, Soul Food is based upon Tillman's childhood experiences growing up in Wisconsin, and...
, in which Hall reprised her role.
She landed another acclaimed role when she was cast in the 2004 remake
Remake
A remake is a piece of media based primarily on an earlier work of the same medium.-Film:The term "remake" is generally used in reference to a movie which uses an earlier movie as the main source material, rather than in reference to a second, later movie based on the same source...
of The Ladykillers
The Ladykillers (2004 film)
The Ladykillers is a 2004 dark comedy film directed, written and produced by the Coen brothers and stars Tom Hanks, with a supporting cast that includes J. K. Simmons, Marlon Wayans, Tzi Ma, Ryan Hurst and Irma P. Hall...
. She won a special Jury Prize at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
and an Image Award for her performance. Hall will also have a principal role in the upcoming Rel Dowdell film, "Changing the Game," to be shot in Philadelphia in Spring 2010.
Personal life
Hall was born Irma Dolores Player Hall in Beaumont, TexasBeaumont, Texas
Beaumont is a city in and county seat of Jefferson County, Texas, United States, within the Beaumont–Port Arthur Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city's population was 118,296 at the 2010 census. With Port Arthur and Orange, it forms the Golden Triangle, a major industrial area on the...
, the daughter of Josephine Hall. She was raised on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois. Her father was a saxophone
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
player who performed jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
music. Hall attended Briar Cliff College in Sioux City, Iowa
Sioux City, Iowa
Sioux City is a city in Plymouth and Woodbury counties in the western part of the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 82,684 in the 2010 census, a decline from 85,013 in the 2000 census, which makes it currently the fourth largest city in the state....
.
Shortly before the film release of The Ladykillers
The Ladykillers (2004 film)
The Ladykillers is a 2004 dark comedy film directed, written and produced by the Coen brothers and stars Tom Hanks, with a supporting cast that includes J. K. Simmons, Marlon Wayans, Tzi Ma, Ryan Hurst and Irma P. Hall...
, Hall was seriously injured in a car accident
Car accident
A traffic collision, also known as a traffic accident, motor vehicle collision, motor vehicle accident, car accident, automobile accident, Road Traffic Collision or car crash, occurs when a vehicle collides with another vehicle, pedestrian, animal, road debris, or other stationary obstruction,...
in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. In the midst of a snowstorm, she lost control of her vehicle, crossed lanes into oncoming traffic
Traffic
Traffic on roads may consist of pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, streetcars and other conveyances, either singly or together, while using the public way for purposes of travel...
and hit another car head on. She underwent emergency
Emergency
An emergency is a situation that poses an immediate risk to health, life, property or environment. Most emergencies require urgent intervention to prevent a worsening of the situation, although in some situations, mitigation may not be possible and agencies may only be able to offer palliative...
open-heart surgery for a puncture wound to her aorta
Aorta
The aorta is the largest artery in the body, originating from the left ventricle of the heart and extending down to the abdomen, where it branches off into two smaller arteries...
caused by a broken rib. In addition, Hall also suffered a shattered ankle
Ankle
The ankle joint is formed where the foot and the leg meet. The ankle, or talocrural joint, is a synovial hinge joint that connects the distal ends of the tibia and fibula in the lower limb with the proximal end of the talus bone in the foot...
and a broken arm. Hall was cited for driving with a suspended license
License
The verb license or grant licence means to give permission. The noun license or licence refers to that permission as well as to the document recording that permission.A license may be granted by a party to another party as an element of an agreement...
and not staying in her lane. She made a full recovery and was able to continue her career.
Hall lives in Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
with her family; she is the mother of two and the grandmother of four (as of 2001).
Hall also had a recurring role on the 80's hit television show Dallas.
Awards and nominations
- Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films
- 2005, Best Actress: The Ladykillers (Nominated)
- Black Reel AwardsBlack Reel AwardsThe Black Reel Awards began in 2000 and were designed to annually recognize and celebrate the achievements of black people in feature, independent and television films...
- 2005, Best Actress in a Musical/Comedy: The Ladykillers (Winner)
- 2000, Best Supporting Actress in a Mini-Series/Television Movie: A Lesson Before Dying (Nominated)
Filmography
- My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done? (2009)
- Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New OrleansBad Lieutenant: Port of Call New OrleansBad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans is a 2009 American crime drama film directed by Werner Herzog and starring Nicolas Cage.-Overview:...
(2009) - Meet The BrownsMeet the Browns (film)Meet the Browns is a 2008 romantic comedy-drama film released by Lionsgate on March 21, 2008. The film was based on the play of the same name by Tyler Perry.-Plot:...
(2008) - Gift for the Living (2005)
- CollateralCollateral (film)Collateral is a 2004 crime thriller film starring Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx. It was directed by Michael Mann and written by Stuart Beattie. It was Mann's first feature film to be shot mostly with high-definition cameras. Mann had previously used the format for portions of Ali and for his CBS drama...
(2004) - The LadykillersThe Ladykillers (2004 film)The Ladykillers is a 2004 dark comedy film directed, written and produced by the Coen brothers and stars Tom Hanks, with a supporting cast that includes J. K. Simmons, Marlon Wayans, Tzi Ma, Ryan Hurst and Irma P. Hall...
(2004) - Bad CompanyBad Company (2002 film)Bad Company is a 2002 action-comedy film directed by Joel Schumacher, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and starring Anthony Hopkins and Chris Rock.-Plot:...
(2002) - Something to Sing AboutSomething to Sing About (2000 film)Something to Sing About is a 2000 American Christian Drama film directed by Charlie Jordan and stars Irma P. Hall, Darius McCrary, Tamera Mowry, Rashaan Nall, and Kirk Franklin. It was produced by John Shepherd of World Wide Pictures...
(2000) - A Slipping-Down LifeA Slipping-Down LifeA Slipping-Down Life is a 1999 romantic drama film directed by Toni Kalem. Based on a novel by Anne Tyler, it stars Lili Taylor and Guy Pearce.-Plot:...
(1999) - Patch AdamsPatch Adams (film)Patch Adams is a 1998 comedy-drama film starring Robin Williams. Directed by Tom Shadyac, it is based on the life story of Dr. Hunter "Patch" Adams and the book Gesundheit: Good Health is a Laughing Matter by Adams and Maureen Mylander. The film is generally considered a box-office success,...
(1998) - BelovedBeloved (film)Beloved is a 1998 film based on Toni Morrison's 1987 novel of the same name. It was directed by Jonathan Demme, and was produced by Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Productions. The film stars Oprah Winfrey and Danny Glover.-Plot:...
(1998) - Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997)
- Soul FoodSoul Food (film)Soul Food is a 1997 American comedy-drama film, produced by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Tracey Edmonds, and Robert Teitel, and released by Fox 2000 Pictures. Featuring an ensemble cast, the film stars Vanessa L. Williams, Vivica A. Fox, Nia Long, Michael Beach, Mekhi Phifer, Jeffrey D. Sams, Irma...
(1997) - Buddy (1997)
- Steel (1997)
- Nothing to Lose (1997)
- To Sir, with Love IITo Sir, with Love IITo Sir, with Love II is an American television movie, a sequel to the 1967 British film, To Sir, with Love.Like its first part, it deals with social issues in an inner city school.-Plot summary:...
(1996) - A Family Thing (1996)
- Mo' MoneyMo' MoneyMo' Money is a 1992 romantic-crime-dramedy film, starring Damon Wayans, Marlon Wayans and Stacey Dash, and directed by Peter MacDonald. The screenplay was also written by Damon Wayans.-Synopsis:...
(1992) - The BabeThe BabeThe Babe is a 1992 biographical film about the life of famed baseball player Babe Ruth, who is portrayed by John Goodman.-Plot:The story begins in 1902 in Baltimore, Maryland, where a young Babe Ruth, troubled and not-so disciplined, is sent to the St. Mary's Industrial School for Boys, a...
(1992) - Straight TalkStraight TalkStraight Talk is an 1992 American comedy-film distributed by Hollywood Pictures, directed by Barnet Kellman and starring Dolly Parton and James Woods. Parton did not receive star-billing in any other theatrically-released films until the 2012 film Joyful Noise, alongside Queen Latifah...
(1992) - BackdraftBackdraft (film)Backdraft is a 1991 action thriller film directed by Ron Howard and written by Gregory Widen. The film stars Kurt Russell, William Baldwin, Scott Glenn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Rebecca De Mornay, Donald Sutherland, and Robert De Niro. Jason Gedrick and J. T. Walsh co-star in the film...
(1991) - Uncle Tom's CabinUncle Tom's CabinUncle Tom's Cabin; or, Life Among the Lowly is an anti-slavery novel by American author Harriet Beecher Stowe. Published in 1852, the novel "helped lay the groundwork for the Civil War", according to Will Kaufman....
(1987) - They Still Call Me BruceThey Still Call Me BruceThey Still Call Me Bruce is a 1987 comedy action film starring Johnny Yune. The film is a sequel to the 1982 film They Call Me Bruce?.- Synopsis :...
(1987) - The George McKenna StoryThe George McKenna StoryThe George McKenna Story is a 1986 television film directed by Eric Laneuville. It stars Denzel Washington and Lynn Whitfield.-Cast:*Denzel Washington as George McKenna*Lynn Whitfield as Bobbie Maxwell*Earl Billings as Mr. Rogers...
(1986) - Split ImageSplit Image (film)Split Image is a 1982 film that tells the story of an all-American college athlete who becomes involved in a youth-oriented "cult", and his family's struggle to bring him home...
(1982) - Crisis at Central HighCrisis at Central HighCrisis at Central High was a 1981 made-for-television movie about the Little Rock Integration Crisis of 1957, based on a draft of the memoir by the same name by former assistant principal Elizabeth Huckaby....
(1981, made-for-TV docudrama) - The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders II (1980)
- The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (1979)
- Book of Numbers (1973)
- The Long Hot Summer (1958)