[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Esther Rolle was born right here in Pompano Beach.  Most locals know that.  You also probably knew she starred in the TV Series “Good Times” which also starred  John Amos, Jimmy “JJ” Walker (best known for his catch phrase “Dy-No-Mite”) and for a time featured a very young Janet Jackson.  You may also remember that before Good Times, Rolle was a co-star of the TV show “Maude” and her”Good Times”  character, Florida,  originated on that show.

Know that we know what you about Pompano Beach’s Esther Rolle, here are some fun facts that you might not have known.

1- Rolle was the 10th of 18 children, lived in what we now consider the Northwest part of Pompano Beach and graduated from Blanche Ely High School.

2- She attended Yale University among other colleges including Spelman College in Georgia.

3- Before her acting career kicked off, Esther Rolle worked full-time in the New York City garment district.

4- Despite coming from a big family (or maybe because of it), Rolle never had any children of her own.  She was married for twenty years to Oscar Robinson.

5- Even though she passed away in California and hadn’t lived in Pompano Beach for decades, Rolle is buried in Pompano Beach at the Westview Community Cemetery.

If you’d like to learn more about Esther Rolle of Pompano Beach, here are some links to check out:

>>>Esther Rolle won an Emmy Award, but it wasn’t for Good Times.

>>>The New York Times 1998 Obituary for Esther Rolle

>>>And, of course here is the official Esther Rolle Wikipedia page

This story was prepared by our Pompano Beach news desk with additional  information from various public sources and other websites.

For more Pompano Beach news and things to do in Pompano Beach read Pompano! magazine and search our website.

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This post was prepared by staff at Point! Publishing. For inquiries call 954-603-4553.

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