Carmen McRae

Actress-musician Carmen McRae made a splash in Hollywood both on and off-screen for more than four decades. McRae began her acting career appearing mainly in films, such as the Tony Curtis sports drama "The Square Jungle" (1956), the dramatic adaptation "The Subterraneans" (1960) with Leslie Caron and the dramatic adaptation "Hotel" (1967) with Rod Taylor. She also was featured in the miniseries "Roots: The Next Generations" (1978-79). McRae also contributed music to "A Circle of Children" (CBS, 1976-77). She continued to act in productions like the Richard Pryor biopic "Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling" (1986). She also contributed to a variety of television specials, including "Barry Manilow: Big Fun on Swing Street" (CBS, 1987-88) and "Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award Show" (CBS, 1987-88). McRae also created music for "Real Genius" (1985) with Val Kilmer. McRae's music was most recently featured in the comedy "Snow Day" (2000) with Chris Elliott. McRae continued to exercise her talent in the eighties and the nineties, taking on a mix of projects like "Newport Jazz '88" (PBS, 1988-89), "Back to the Future III" (1990) starring Michael J. Fox and "Lady Day: The Many Faces of Billie Holiday" (1992-93). Her credits also expanded to "Excess Baggage" (1997) starring Alicia Silverstone.