Life and career

Born Laverne Scott in Chicago, she started her career in 1978 as a member of the famed Negro Ensemble Company, making her Broadway debut two years later in the Tony Award nominated play Home. She has starred in world premier and regional productions across the country, including works by Wole Soyinda, Athol Fugard, Neil Simon, and Regina Taylor. Caldwell earned a degree in Theater Arts and Communications from Loyola University Chicago. She has an extensive background in theater, feature films, and television. Her film credits include Waiting to Exhale, The Net, The Fugitive, Like Dandelion Dust and Powder Blue.

In 2010, Caldwell played the lead role in the short film Lisa Trotter, directed by fellow Chicagoan Hawthorne James. Caldwell had recurring roles on Judging Amy, Lost, The Secret Life of the American Teenager and Southland. She has guest-starred in over fifty television series episodes and made for television movies including JAG, Chicago Hope, City of Angels and Promised Land,. Her additional television credits include The Practice, Any Day Now, Murder One, The Pretender, ER, Nip/Tuck, L.A. Law, Ghost Whisperer, Cold Case, Saving Grace, State of Mind, and The Cosby Show. In 2003, she was a cast as a main character, Judge Rose Barnea, in the CBS series Queens Supreme.

On Broadway, Caldwell won a 1988 Tony Award for her portrayal of Bertha Holly in Joe Turner's Come and Gone. Her other Broadway credits include Proposals, A Month of Sundays and Home. She has also appeared off Broadway in About Heaven & Earth, Colored People's Time, Old Phantoms, A Season to Unravel, The Imprisonment of Obatala" and Going to St. Ives.

Her most recent appearances have been in the television series Southland and The Secret Life of the American Teenager, and films Powder Blue, Like Dandelion Dust, and Gridiron Gang. Caldwell is most widely known for her portrayal of Rose on Lost.

In May 2014, she appeared in the world-premiere stage adaptation of sci-fi icon Ursula LeGuin's classic The Wife's Tale at Sci-Fest LA: The Los Angeles Science Fiction One-Act Play Festival.

Early life

Born the middle child in Chicago, Illinois to working class parents, Laverne Scott grew up in the Woodlawn neighborhood on the South Side. At a high enrollment elementary school she attended the morning session, and her older siblings went to school in the afternoon. When the school released her at noon she was escorted to a neighborhood theater where she was minded by a friend of her mother. While attending Hyde Park High School, she joined the drama club. Her class went to see a performance of A Day of Absence, featuring Douglas Turner Ward, a co-founder of The Negro Ensemble Company. It was the first time she saw professional black actors on stage. After graduating high school in 1967, she attended Northwestern University. She left after one year and went to work full-time as an operator at Illinois Bell. She got married and had a son. She transferred her credits to Loyola University-Chicago and earned a bachelor's degree in Theater Arts and Communications.

Career

Caldwell planned on a teaching career and taught at Chicago High School of the Performing Arts. She also worked a year for the Chicago Council on Fine Arts as an artist-in-residence. While in Chicago Caldwell performed in local theatrical productions at the Body Politic, Court Theater, and Eleventh Street Theater. She went to New York in 1978 to audition for Uta Hagen's school HB Studio. While waiting to audition she saw an ad for The Negro Ensemble Company. After her audition at Hagen's school she took the subway to the NEC. Caldwell was initially rebuffed by the person who interviewed her but she insisted on meeting with Ward. She used the three pieces she performed at her audition for Hagen. She was accepted by both Hagen and Ward. During her first season at NEC Caldwell performed in several plays. One of those plays, Home, by Samm Art Williams, took her to Broadway's Cort Theatre in 1980. The play was critically acclaimed and earned a Tony Award nomination for Charles Brown. After Home closed Caldwell worked in several regional theater productions including Boesman and Lena at Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, and A Raisin in the Sun at Studio Arena Theatre, Buffalo, New York.

In December 1984, while working in Play of Giants, Caldwell was struck by a car while hailing a cab on Columbus Avenue in New York. She suffered a severe back injury and was unable to work for nearly two years. Her first audition after her recovery was for August Wilson's Joe Turner's Come and Gone. Her performance as Bertha Holly earned her a 1988 Tony Award. Soon after winning the Tony, she moved to southern California to work in television and film. She is extremely busy, working in several cities in the U.S., Canada, and South Africa, and continues to work in theater. She returned to Broadway in 1997 as the lead in Neil Simon's short-lived Proposals. After Proposals closed Caldwell performed the role of Leah, Little Augie's sister, in New York City Center's Encores! Great American Musicals in Concert production of St. Louis Woman.

In 2006, she made her Goodman Theatre debut in Regina Taylor's The Dreams of Sarah Breedlove. In 2011, she took on role of Lena Younger in the Ebony Repertory Theatre production of the Lorraine Hansberry classic A Raisin in the Sun. The play was directed by Phylicia Rashad. Caldwell, along with the entire cast, was nominated for the LA Stage Alliance 2011 Ovation Award for her work as Lena, for which she won the 2011 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award.

Caldwell is an active member of Unite For Strength, the Screen Actors Guild coalition in favor of joining with AFTRA. On September 19, 2008, she won a seat as an alternate on the national board of directors and Hollywood division board of directors. Caldwell was elected to a second one-year term September 24, 2009. She served on the Seniors, Legislative, Women, Holiday Host, Honors and Tributes, and EEOC committees. In September 2010, she was elected to a one-year term on the national board of directors. She served as the national chair of the Women's committee. In 2011, Caldwell is on the SAG national board of directors ballot for a fourth consecutive year. She won a three-year term on the national and Hollywood boards. She will serve as national chair of Women, and Healthcare Safetynet committees.

Personal life

In her early twenties Scott married John Caldwell and had a son, Ominara. She was divorced in the early 1980s, and was married again (on her birthday) in 2004 to artist/photographer/director Dasal Banks. Banks suffered from cancer and died in May 2005. Caldwell completed his final film, My Brothers and Me, a documentary created to raise awareness about prostate cancer among black men.

Caldwell gives lectures and appears on panels concerning African American actors. In 2007, she participated in tributes to August Wilson at Goodman Theatre in conjunction with Congo Square Theatre Company in Chicago, and at St. Louis Black Repertory Company. In June 2008, she participated in the NAACP Theatre Awards Festival Actors on Acting panel. In June 2009, Caldwell moderated a panel of actors, directors, and casting directors discussing African American Images in Hollywood. In February 2010, she directed a staged reading of Standing On My Sisters' Shoulders for the Los Angeles chapter of Actors Equity Association.

Filmography

Television

Mercy Street (2016) Belinda Madam Secretary (2015) Afeni Rahim That Gal...Who Was In That Thing: That Guy 2 (2015) Self (documentary) Criminal Minds (2013) Tina Johnson Low Winter Sun (2013) Violet Geddes Private Practice (2012) Jillian McCray My America - Identity Stories "Bellagio" (web only broadcast of Center Stage monolgue series) (2012) Narrator CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2011) Mrs. Nora Parkes Grey's Anatomy (2011) Allison Cobb Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2010) Southland (2009, 2011-2013) Enid Adams (Lydia's mother) The Secret Life of the American Teenager (2008-2012) Margaret Shakur Without a Trace (2007) Rev. Anna Washington State of Mind (2007) Mrs. Williams Saving Grace (2007) Mama Dee Reynolds Lost (2004-2010) Rose Henderson Jozi-H (2007) Dr. Laura Shields (Canadian & South African TV) Cold Case (2006) Alice Stallworth Ghost Whisperer (2006) Liz ER (2004, 2006) Dr. Raab Nip Tuck (2003) Dr. Reed Queens Supreme (2003) Judge Rose Barnea The Court (2002) Anne Marie Passions (2001) Clinic counselor The Practice (2001) Parole Board Chairperson Kate Brasher (2001) Mrs. Rumel The Division (2001) Detective Reese City of Angels (2000) Mrs. Angela Patterson Judging Amy (1999-2000) Tanya Miller Chicago Hope (1999) Bonnie Medina JAG (1999) Mrs. Flora Springs The Last Man on Planet Earth (1999) Ester Intimate Betrayal (1999) Detective Sheila Monroe Graham's Diner (1999) Verna Any Day Now (1998) Mrs. Opal Lee Tell Me No Secrets (1997) judge Weapons of Mass Distraction (1997) Senator Condon Murder One (1997) Anna Mae Brown Dying to Be Perfect (1996) Dr. Wallace The Pretender (1996) Gwen Porter

Twilight Man (1996) Detective Lou Shannon Bringing Up Jack (1995) Dr. Davis Down Came a Blackbird (1995) Cirises Grace Under Fire (1995) Carol Briscoe Melrose Place (1994) Judge Maxine Marco Lois & Clark (1993) Carol Sherman For the Love of My Child (1993) Rita Wilson Darkness Before Dawn (1993) nurse The Switch (1993) Mrs. Linson Reasonable Doubts (1992) Eleanor Gilbert The Heights (1992) Joanne Equal Justice (1991) Mrs. Ida Bolton Thirtysomething (1991) Alice Baby of the Bride (1991) Dr. Davis Love Lies & Murder (1991) Judge Starkey The Trials of Rosie O'Neill (1991) Emily Warner Doogie Howser (1990) Mrs. Alexander Dangerous Passion (1990) Ruby The Outsiders (1990) Barbra Richards Alien Nation (1989) Lyddie Tuggles Hunter (1989) Gloria Tessel Tour of Duty (1989) Selma Binion LA Law (1989) Wanda Havens TV 101 (1988) Mrs. Hines God Bless the Child (1988) Althea Watkins The Cosby Show (1988) Elizabeth The File on Jill Hatch (1983) All My Children Nurse Dragon Lady Flemming Search For Tomorrow

Theatre What I Learned In Paris (2014) Eve Madison The Wife's Story (2014) She A Raisin in the Sun (2011) Lena Younger The Circle (2011) Donna Reverse Transcription Staged reading (2009) Ottoline The Dreams of Sarah Breedlove (2006) Sarah Breedlove (Madam C.J. Walker) Going To St. Ives (2000, 2003 (radio broadcast and recording), 2005) May N'Kame St. Louis Woman (1998) Leah Proposals (1997) Clemma Diggins Macbeth (1997) Lady Macbeth American Medea (1995) Medea The Piano Lesson (1991) Berniece From the Mississippi Delta (1990) Miss Rosebud/Bro. Pastor Joe Turner's Come and Gone (1987-1988) Bertha Holly A Month of Sundays (1987) understudy Mrs. Baker Elegies for the Fallen Staged reading (1986) A Play of Giants (1984) Ambassador About Heaven & Earth (1983) Black Woman (The Redeemer)/Raimy (Nightline) A Raisin in the Sun (1982) Ruth Younger Colored Peoples Time (1982) Cahterine/Addie/Nadine/Ida Boesman and Lena (1982) Lena Home (1980-1981). Pattie Mae Wells / Woman One. Broadway debut. A Season to Unravel (1979) Afrodite Plays From Africa - Everyman & The Imprisonment of Obatala (1979) Old Phantoms (1979) Ruth Daughters of the Mock (1978) Gail The Thesmophoriazousae (1977) Sosie (Chicago - Court Theatre) The Other Cinderella (1975) (Chicago - Club Misty) No Place to be Somebody: A Black-Black Comedy (1974) Cora Beasley (Loyola University student production) A Raisin in the Sun Travis Younger (Hyde Park High School student production) Director Standing On My Sisters' Shoulders Staged reading (2010) My Brothers and Me Documentary (2009)

Film Concussion (2015) Mrs. Waters The Perfect Guy (2015) Evelyn Division 19 (2015) Michelle Jacobs The Lamp (2011) Miss Esther Lisa Trotter (2010) Lisa Trotter Like Dandelion Dust (2010) Allyson Bower Powder Blue (2009) Nurse Gomez Gridiron Gang (2006) Bobbi Porter Dragonfly (2002) nurse Mystery Alaska (1999) Judge McGibbons Devil in a Blue Dress (1995) Hattie Mae Parsons The Net (1995) Court appointed attorney Waiting to Exhale (1995) Bernadine's divorce attorney Soweto Green (1995) Cora Tshabalala Extreme Justice (1993) Devlin The Fugitive (1993) Deputy US Marshal Poole. Dutch (1991) Homeless woman Up Against the Wall (1991) Sandy Wilkes Exterminator 2 (1984) Patron Without a Trace (1983) Janet Smith Commercials McDonald's - Grapevine (1992) Calvin's mother The United Negro College Fund - Little Brother (1989) Mother Radio WBAI - Reena by Paule Marshall (1982) Narrator

Awards and nominations

Awards

• 2011 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Lead Performance and Ensemble Performance - A Raisin in the Sun
• 2006 BTAA Award for Best leading actress in a play - The Dreams of Sarah Breedlove
• 2005 Obie Award for Performance in a play - Going to St. Ives
• 1998 Helen Hayes Award for Supporting actress in a non-resident production - Proposals
• 1997 Drama-Logue Award for Performance in a play - Proposals
• 1990 Drama-Logue Award for Ensemble performance - From The Mississippi Delta
• 1988 Tony Award for Featured actress in a play - Joe Turner's Come & Gone

Nominations

• 2011 Ovation Award for Best Acting Ensemble in a Play - A Raisin in the Sun
• 2007 Gemini Award (Canadian television) for Best actress in a guest performance - Jozi-H
• 2005 Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding actress in a play - Going to St. Ives
• 1998 FANY (FAns of NY Theatre) Award for Outstanding actress in a play - Proposals

Quotes

"I didn't say to myself 'I want to be an actress' or anything like that. But I loved film, and I loved what they did." St. Louis Post-Dispatch July 1, 1988

"The first play my mother ever saw I was in." Chicago Tribune November 30, 1997

"I didn't have dance lessons or anything when I was growing up.... I didn't have background in the arts at all. I used to like to pretend when I was a kid, so I would hide in the closet and make up stories and pretend to be other people." Chicago Tribune November 30, 1997

"When you stop acting is when you feel it. On your day off, everything shuts down and you have to start all over again at the next performance.... There is nothing else quite like the high of live theater." The Plain Dealer December 14, 1997

"When you meet somebody that are in the final stages of their life, the other person, or the healthy person, is gonna do all they can to keep you living. The person that's going through it, ...after they have been fighting for so long, you just reach that fork in the road where you can keep going down that path of struggle. Or you can stand where you are, and accept where you are, and accept it as a blessing. And that's a very powerful place to be. It's good to let people know that there is life. There is life. There is life. There is life. That it doesn't stop you from being able to live. And it doesn't stop you from being able to love. And to find the love of your life, at the end of your life is an amazing thing. It's just a gift from God." Lost, Season Two On Location extras DVD, 2006

While working in the Ebony Repertory Theatre production of A Raisin in the Sun Caldwell said she had done the play "...enough times to play every character except Mama. I've played Ruth, and I've even played Travis in a high school production." LA Stage Times March 23, 2011

"Remember three things in this profession - dream, have faith and practice your craft. Keep your dream alive; allow yourself to sit and dream of the life you desire. If you want to play Lady Macbeth, practice her at home. Keep the faith and know that there is a community of others like you that you are a part of. It's helpful to realize that most of us within the community have struggled, overcome and persevered; and if the right opportunity doesn't present itself - create your own vehicle." Equity News October/November 2011

Further reading

• Chicago Defender "Loyola Opens Season With Versatile Seasoned Cast", October 5, 1974 p. A5
• Chicago Defender "Other Cinderella Premieres at Club Misty", August 7, 1975 p. 15
• Kuchwara, Michael St. Louis Post-Dispatch Everyday Magazine "Tony Winner Knew It In Her Heart", July 1, 1988 p. 8F
• Weiss, Hedy Chicago Sun-Times, July 14, 1988 p. 39
• Mitchell, Ophelia DeVore The Columbus Times "Tony Award Winning Actress Puts Her Philosophy of Enriching Others' Lives To Practice" vol. XXVII issue 35, August 28, 1988 p.A1
• Jackson, Caroline Black Masks "L. Scott Caldwell: Laughter in One Hand; The Tony in the Other" vol. 4 issue 9, August 31, 1988 p. 4
• Bogle, Donald Black Arts Annual 1987-1988 1989
• Hay, Samuel A. African American Theatre - An Historical And Critical Analysis, 1994 pgs. 142, 146, 158, 159, 161, 169
• Isherwood, Charles Variety, "Proposals" July 26, 1997
• Flatow, Sheryl Playbill, "Neil Simon Tells Love Stories in Proposals" November 18, 1997
• Kilian, Michael Chicago Tribune, "Serious Simon - Play Has Its Critics, But Its Leading Actresses Find Acclaim" November 30, 1997 Arts & Entertainment p. 10
• Kuchwara, Michael The Plain Dealer "Sweet Role Entices Actress to Simon Play: Maid A Major Role in Proposals", December 14, 1997 Arts section p. 101
• Simon, Neil The Play Goes On: A Memoir, 2002 p. 318
• Oldenburg, Ann USA Today "Love Is No Longer Color-coded On TV", December 20, 2005
• Pietrusiak, Leah Time Out Chicago "5 Minutes With L. Scott Caldwell", June 22-28, 2006
• Woulfe, Molly The Times of Northwest Indiana "Lost Actress Recaps Life on the Island", June 30, 2006
• Lost: The Official Magazine "By The Fire: L. Scott Caldwell & Sam Anderson", Issue #5 July/August 2006 p. 30
• Vaughn, Kenya St. Louis American "Black Rep Goes Beyond August Wilson", March 28, 2007
• Hill, Anthony D. Historical Dictionary of African American Theater, 2009 p. 81
• Cairns, Bryan Lost The Official Magazine "By The Fire: Revolution Resolution", Issue #24 2009 Yearbook Sep/Oct 2009 p. 70
• Donloe, Darlene LA Stage Times "Phylicia Rashad Takes the Direct Approach", March 23, 2011
• McCollester, Maggie Equity News "L. Scott Caldwell Welcomes New Members" vol 96 number 8, October/November 2011, p. 8

[ Source: Wikipedia ]