Danitra Vance

Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois
Birthday: July 13, 1959

Live-wire African-American actor and comedian whose energies were primarily focused on New York's off-Broadway performance scene. With her large eyes, open features and shock of thick hair, Vance first made her mark at La Mama with performances mixing music, outlandish comedy and high-toned cultural references. Producer Lorne Michaels decided to sign her up for his long-running late night variety series, "Saturday Night Live", in 1985, but despite (very) occasional chances for the show's first black female regular to shine, Vance was not happy …more

Full Biography

Credits

Actor

The Talent Pool
The Colored Museum
Woman
The Colored Museum
Normal Jean Reynolds
The Colored Museum
Miss Pat
Hunger Chic
Emma St John

View All Credits

Career Milestones

1993
Cancer recurred; Vance was forced to cancel a performance engagement at the Public Theater
1993
Last performed at New York's Joseph Papp Public Theater in a production of "Marisol" by Jose Rivera in May
1991
Last feature films, "Little Man Tate" and "Jumpin' at the Boneyard"
1991
Recreated stage roles from the anthology drama, "The Colored Museum" for a PBS presentation of "Great Performances"
1990
Diagnosed with breast cancer