Veteran actor Irma P. Hall, known for her scene-stealing performances in films such as ‘Soul Food’ and ‘The Ladykillers’, died on Tuesday in Dallas. She was 91.
Her death was announced on Wednesday by her family, who did not disclose a cause. Hall passed away surrounded by loved ones, according to a statement shared by her daughter, Irma Hall Crayton.
Hall’s career spanned more than three decades, beginning after decades as an educator. She first gained major recognition at age 60 with her role in ‘A Family Thing’ (1996), where she played Aunt T., a blind woman whose guidance brings together two half-brothers, played by James Earl Jones and Robert Duvall. The performance drew attention to her talent and led to further opportunities in film and television.
Among her most iconic roles was Big Mama, the matriarch of the Joseph family in the 1997 drama ‘Soul Food’, starring Vanessa Williams, Vivica A. Fox, and Nia Long. The role earned her an NAACP Image Award and a return to the character in the subsequent television series. She also portrayed Marva Munson, a devout landlady, in the Coen brothers’ 2004 comedy ‘The Ladykillers’, which earned her a Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival.
Born Irma Dolores Player on June 3, 1935, in Beaumont, Texas, Hall was raised in Chicago before returning to Texas for college. She taught English and foreign languages in Dallas public schools for more than 20 years, later receiving an honorary doctorate in Fine Arts and Education from Texas College.
Her acting career began after she was discovered by actor and director Raymond St. Jacques, who cast her in the 1973 film ‘Book of Numbers’ following a poetry recital. Over the years, she appeared in numerous films, including ‘Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil’, ‘Beloved’, ‘Patch Adams’, ‘Collateral’, and ‘Meet the Browns’.
A longtime church leader in Dallas, Hall was described by her family as a “beloved actress, author, poet, educator, and public speaker” whose contributions “touched countless lives.” Her daughter reflected on her legacy, stating, “She started as a teacher in the classroom but ended up being a teacher to the world.”
Hall is survived by her daughter. A private funeral service is planned.